INFILTRATION OF SECURITY FORCES BY CRIMINALS POSES GRAVE THREAT – WASE WARNS AT PLENARY
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, on Wednesday raised alarm over the infiltration of Nigeria’s security agencies by suspected Boko Haram members and other criminal elements.
Speaking during a special plenary session on national security, Wase revealed that names of known terrorists and criminals had once appeared on recruitment lists for the Nigerian Army and Police.
He noted that his claim could be corroborated by Hon. Muktar Betara, former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence and currently Chairman of the Committee on the Federal Capital Territory.
“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 said.
The Plateau State lawmaker, who represents Wase Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC), described the development as a critical national security risk. He cautioned against indiscriminate endorsements of candidates for security recruitment, urging lawmakers and stakeholders to recommend only credible and trustworthy individuals.
Wase, who disclosed that he had personally lost a brother, cousin, and nephew to terrorist attacks, said the North Central region bears approximately 52 per cent of Nigeria’s overall insecurity burden.
He also called for a review of the presidential directive withdrawing police officers from VIP protection duties, arguing that while the intention may be valid, categories of protected individuals must be clearly defined to avoid exposing key officials to danger.
Speaking for the North West Caucus, Hon. Sada Soli described insecurity in the zone as “complex and layered,” driven by criminality, environmental stress, weak governance and worsening economic conditions. He stressed that a purely military response would not suffice, advocating a mix of security operations and socio-economic reforms.
Representing the North East Caucus, Hon. Muktar Betara highlighted the region as “ground zero of terrorism, insurgency and recurring communal violence.” He recalled past tragedies such as the 2015 Baga massacre and bomb attacks that claimed multiple lives, calling for strong, coordinated action to halt the spread of violence.
From the South South, Hon. Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers) criticised successive administrations for lacking the political will to tackle insecurity, accusing governments of appeasing terrorists rather than enforcing the law. He described the practice of referring to terrorism as mere banditry as “misleading and dangerous.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, decried the devastating impact of insecurity on vulnerable populations. Citing recent mass abductions in Papiri and Kamba, she stated:
“These are not just security failures; they represent a breach of the state’s primary responsibility to safeguard lives and property.”
The session underscored the urgent need for robust reforms in recruitment procedures, intelligence gathering, socio-economic policy, and institutional accountability to stem the ongoing security crisis.
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