Criminal Infiltration of Nigerian Military Undermining Security, Lawmaker Reveals
A senior Nigerian lawmaker has issued a stark warning that criminal elements, including armed robbers and insurgents, have successfully infiltrated the country’s security institutions, fundamentally compromising the nation’s fight against widespread violence.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Idris Wase delivered the alarming assessment during a special parliamentary session on national security, revealing systemic vulnerabilities that extend beyond battlefield challenges to the very composition of security forces.
Security Recruitment Compromised by Criminal Elements
Wase disclosed disturbing evidence of security recruitment processes being compromised, stating that “Boko Haram members were found in the list” during past recruitment drives, along with “other criminals and armed robbers” who successfully joined both the Nigerian Army and police forces.
The lawmaker cited a specific incident where a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation reportedly identified a known armed robber wearing a Nigerian security uniform at an airport and ordered his immediate arrest.
“These are part of the problems we are faced with. You find a criminal in the system, and before you know it, we cannot resolve the problem,” Wase warned, urging politicians to recommend only candidates of proven integrity for security recruitment.
Rejecting Religious Framing of Conflict
In his address, Wase strongly rejected attempts to frame Nigeria’s security crisis along religious lines, insisting the violence is driven purely by criminal motives rather than sectarian divisions.
“I want to disagree with those who are bringing the religious inkling into it,” he stated. “In these enclaves, you find Muslims, Christians, pagans. The ones that have been caught include all groups. So how do you define it as genocide against any faith?”
The lawmaker argued that religious narratives weaken national unity and obstruct effective solutions to the security challenges. “It just has to do with criminality, and we must brand it as criminality. Otherwise, that division of religion will continue to attack us, and before we know it, we cannot tackle the problem effectively,” he cautioned.
North Central Region Bears Brunt of Violence
Wase, who represents Wase Federal Constituency in Plateau State, revealed that the North Central region has become the epicenter of Nigeria’s security crisis, accounting for 52 percent of the country’s insecurity and insurgency incidents.
“Our people are dying. Our people have been displaced, those in the military, those in the security forces, and those at home,” he said, adding that more than half of all insecurity incidents recorded in West Africa occur in Nigeria.
Economic Dimensions of the Crisis
The lawmaker highlighted the staggering economic dimensions of the security crisis, revealing that bandits collected “about ₦5 billion in ransom within one year” while Boko Haram attacks and related violence have killed “about 30,000 people.”
Wase questioned the effectiveness of Nigeria’s substantial security spending, noting that nearly 30 percent of the national budget last year was allocated to security-related sectors. “If there were proper releases and proper execution, we might have solved some problems,” he observed.
Systemic Failures and Intelligence Lapses
The former deputy speaker pointed to critical failures in intelligence coordination and response, citing the Kuje Prison attack and recent incidents in Kebbi State as examples where security agencies failed to act on available intelligence.
“There must be synergy and collaboration between all our security agencies. Otherwise, it is going to be an exercise in futility,” he emphasized.
Wase also noted the troubling pattern of security personnel withdrawing from their posts shortly before major attacks, calling for greater accountability within security operations.
Personal Tragedies Highlight Human Cost
Bringing the crisis closer to home, Wase shared personal tragedies that underscore the severe human cost of the insecurity, revealing that he lost a cousin, a younger brother, and a nephew—all of whom were serving in the armed forces or local vigilante groups.
“I know what it means. As I speak to you, the heat in the North-central is more than what you can imagine,” he told fellow lawmakers.
Call for Constitutional Reform and Accountability
Beyond immediate security concerns, Wase called for constitutional reforms to address Nigeria’s long-standing indigeneship question, which he described as a major driver of division and conflict.
He also urged the House to revisit the federal directive withdrawing police personnel from certain VIPs, warning that criminals are increasingly targeting public officials as security deteriorates.
The lawmaker’s revelations during the special security session highlight deep structural problems within Nigeria’s security architecture that extend far beyond conventional military challenges, pointing to the need for comprehensive reform of recruitment, intelligence coordination, and inter-agency cooperation.