Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, on Wednesday revealed that suspected Boko Haram members and other criminals were previously discovered on the recruitment lists of the Nigerian Army and Police.

The disclosure came during a special plenary session discussing 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 individuals with criminal intent poses a serious threat to national security.

He added that his claim can be confirmed by former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence and current Chairman of the Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Muktar Betara.

Wase stated, “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 cleared for the Army and Police.”

He cautioned against reckless endorsements of candidates for military and police recruitment, emphasizing that only credible and trustworthy individuals should be recommended.

The lawmaker, who has lost a brother, cousin, and nephew to terrorist attacks, noted that the North Central region accounts for about 52 percent of the country’s overall insecurity burden. He recounted a plea from one of his younger brothers requesting relocation from their violence-affected community.

Wase also called for a review of the presidential directive withdrawing police officers from VIP protection duties. While acknowledging the policy’s intent, he stressed that categories must be clearly defined to avoid exposing key officials to unnecessary risk.

Speaking for the North-West Caucus, Sada Soli described the region’s insecurity as “complex and layered,” driven by criminality, environmental pressures, weak governance, and worsening economic conditions. He emphasized that a purely military response would not end the crisis, advocating for a combination of security operations alongside governance, environmental, and economic reforms.

“Lasting peace depends on rebuilding trust in government, reforming land and livestock systems, and ensuring communities help shape solutions,” Soli said.

Muktar Betara, representing the North-East Caucus, stated that the region remains the “ground zero of terrorism, insurgency, and recurring communal violence.” He recalled tragedies from the 2015 Baga massacre to bomb blasts that have claimed the lives of civilians and security personnel.

“Our challenges are massive, but with coordinated action, commitment, and a sound strategy, we can restore confidence and stop the relentless spread of violence,” Betara added.

A South-South senator, Solomon Bob (PDP, Rivers), criticized successive administrations for lacking the political will to tackle insecurity. “Since 1999, we have seen leadership failure. Governments have chosen to negotiate with killers instead of enforcing the law,” he said, noting that describing terrorism merely as banditry downplays the severity of the crisis.

In her contribution, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Kafilat Ogbara, highlighted the heavy toll insecurity has taken on women and children, citing recent mass abductions in Papiri and Kamba. “These are not just security failures; they represent a breach of the state’s core obligation to safeguard lives and property,” she lamented.