Nigeria Faces Backlash Over Reported Enlistment of 40 ‘Repentant’ Terrorists Into Military
At least 40 former Boko Haram insurgents undergoing rehabilitation and reintegration in Borno State have reportedly been shortlisted for recruitment into the Nigerian Army’s 91st Regular Recruits Intake, sparking concern among serving military personnel.
According to military sources, the individuals were among thousands of former fighters previously processed through the Borno State government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme. The candidates are said to have undergone medical screening at the Nigerian Army’s 7 Division Military Hospital in Maiduguri as part of the enlistment procedure.
The development, which has not been officially confirmed by the Nigerian Army or Defence Headquarters, has reportedly triggered unease within sections of the military. Concerns raised by personnel include fears of possible sabotage, intelligence compromise, and the broader implications for operational trust in combat environments.
Sources indicate that opposition within the ranks stems from the prolonged insurgency experience in the North-East, where Boko Haram and its affiliates have been responsible for years of deadly attacks against both civilians and military forces.
The Nigerian military has, in previous instances, denied claims that repentant insurgents are being recruited into its ranks, maintaining that rehabilitation programmes are designed strictly for reintegration into civilian life.
Security experts warn that any policy shift allowing former insurgents into the armed forces would carry significant implications for national security, troop morale, and public confidence in the military institution.
