Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, on Wednesday disclosed that suspected Boko Haram members and other criminal elements were once discovered on the recruitment lists of the Nigerian Army and police.
He made the disclosure during a special plenary session on the state of security in the country.
Wase, an All Progressives Congress lawmaker representing Wase Federal Constituency in Plateau State, warned that the infiltration of security institutions by criminally-minded individuals poses a major threat to national security.
He added that his claim could be verified by former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, now Chairman of the Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Muktar Betara.
He said, “My brother and friend, the former Defence Committee Chairman, Honourable Betara can attest to this. There were recruitment exercises where names of known Boko Haram members appeared on the shortlist. Armed robbers and other criminals were also found among those cleared for the Army and police.”
Wase cautioned against reckless endorsements of candidates for military and police recruitment, stressing that only credible and trustworthy persons should be recommended.
The lawmaker, who revealed that he has lost a brother, cousin and nephew to terrorist attacks, said the North Central bears about 52 per cent of the country’s overall insecurity burden.
He recounted a distressing plea from one of his younger brothers, who begged to be relocated from their violence-stricken community.
Wase also called for a review of the presidential directive withdrawing police officers from VIP protection duties.
While acknowledging the intent of the policy, he argued that categories must be clearly defined to avoid exposing key officials to unnecessary danger.
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