Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, (APC, Wase Federal Constituency) has raised alarm over alleged infiltration of Nigeria’s security forces by persons linked to Boko Haram.

Speaking during a special plenary session on the country’s escalating security challenges, Wase claimed that names of suspected terrorists were once discovered on recruitment lists for both the Nigerian Army and the police.

He said the unsettling discovery was confirmed by Muktar Betara, former Chairman of the House Committee on Defense.

“This highlights dangerous lapses in our recruitment processes, which have allowed people with criminal backgrounds to infiltrate key security institutions,” Wase declared.

The lawmaker, who revealed that he lost both a brother and a cousin to terror attacks, said such infiltration partly explains why armed groups continue to operate with alarming alacrity.

He added that his surviving younger brother has pleaded to be relocated for safety.

Recruitment Lapses and Security Risks

Wase stressed that Nigeria’s recruitment system must be thoroughly overhauled.

“During recruitment exercises, we found names of criminals. Boko Haram members were found on the Army list. There must be a thorough way of recruiting. As politicians, when we recommend candidates, we must recommend people of integrity and good character. If criminals enter the system, solving our security problems becomes impossible,” he said.

He warned that insecurity persists partly because some individuals benefit from the chaos, enabling criminal groups to move freely and operate without resistance.

Beyond recruitment lapses, Wase criticized the politicization of indigeneship and citizenship, describing it as a major source of division. He called for constitutional amendments to address the issue.

Highlighting the severity of the crisis, he noted that kidnapping has become rampant, with an estimated ₦5 billion reportedly paid as ransom in just one year, while over 30,000 people have been killed in Boko Haram‑related violence over time.

Wase urged lawmakers to pursue a unified and comprehensive national strategy, stressing that the scale of insecurity is far more alarming than many realize and requires immediate, coordinated action.