By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, on Wednesday raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s security architecture, revealing that individuals linked to Boko Haram and other criminal networks were previously found on recruitment lists of the Nigerian Army and police.
Wase made the disclosure during a special plenary session dedicated to the country’s worsening security situation. The Plateau lawmaker, who represents Wase Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Congress, warned that allowing compromised individuals into the nation’s armed institutions threatens national stability.
He noted that his revelation could be confirmed by the former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, now head 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 indiscriminate recommendations for recruitment into the armed forces, insisting that only people with proven integrity should be endorsed. The lawmaker, who disclosed that he had personally lost a brother, a cousin and a nephew to terrorist attacks, said the North Central accounts for nearly 52 per cent of Nigeria’s insecurity burden.
He narrated a recent call from one of his younger brothers who pleaded to be evacuated from their violence-ridden community due to persistent attacks.
Wase also urged a careful review of the presidential directive withdrawing police officers from VIP protection assignments. While acknowledging the policy’s intent, he warned that not properly categorising affected officials could put key personalities at risk.
Speaking on behalf of the North-West Caucus, Sada Soli said insecurity in the region had grown into a “complex and layered” crisis, driven by criminality, environmental stress, weak governance and deteriorating economic conditions. Soli argued that military action alone would not end the turmoil, calling instead for a combination of security measures, good governance reforms, environmental interventions and economic programmes.
“Lasting peace depends on rebuilding trust in government, reforming land and livestock systems, and ensuring that communities help shape solutions,” Soli said.
Representing the North-East Caucus, Muktar Betara said the region remained the “ground zero of terrorism, insurgency and recurring communal violence.” He recalled incidents dating back to the 2015 Baga massacre and a series of bomb attacks that claimed the lives of civilians and security personnel.
“Our challenges are massive, but with coordinated action, commitment and sound strategy, we can restore confidence and stop the relentless spread of violence,” Betara said.
A South-South senator, Solomon Bob of the PDP, accused successive governments of lacking the political resolve to confront insecurity head-on. He argued that from 1999 till date, administrations had chosen appeasement over decisive action.
“Since 1999, what we have seen is leadership failure. Governments have chosen to placate terrorists, negotiating with killers instead of enforcing the law,” he said, warning that describing terrorism as mere banditry trivialises the crisis.
In her remarks, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Kafilat Ogbara, highlighted the devastating impact of insecurity on women and children. She pointed to the recent mass abductions in Papiri and Kamba, stressing the violation of government’s constitutional duty to protect lives and property.
“These are not just security failures; they represent a breach of the state’s core obligation to safeguard lives and property,” she lamented.