Borno State denies claims of recruiting former Boko Haram members into the Army

The Borno State Government has said it did not sponsor former Boko Haram members to join the Nigerian Army.

A report by Sahara Reporters on June 25 claimed that 40 former Boko Haram members were shortlisted for the Army’s 91 Regular Recruit Intake (RRI) and were undergoing medical checks in Borno.

When PREMIUM TIMES asked for confirmation, the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, directed our reporter to the Borno State Guidance and Counselling Board.

He said this agency handles recruitment support and attestation during military and paramilitary recruitment.

On Saturday, when PREMIUM reached him by phone, the Executive Secretary of the Borno State Guidance and Counselling Board, Mohammed Jimmeh, denied the claims.

Mr Jimmeh stated that neither the state government nor his agency sponsored or recommended any former insurgents for recruitment.

"No, no, that is not true. I am surprised myself when I saw this because I’ve been there throughout the screening," he said.

He explained that only 732 candidates have been enlisted out of 3,036 applicants from the state in the current Nigerian Army recruitment.

Those shortlisted came from the last four or five months. They are genuine indigenes, and I don’t think they are connected to what was claimed. As far as I’m concerned, that is not true.

He pointed out that candidates apply on their own through the Nigerian Army portal, and the board does not recruit or nominate anyone.

He added that the board’s role starts after the Army releases its list. This includes checking if applicants are indigenes and coordinating logistics for successful candidates.

"Candidates apply through the Nigerian Army portal. When the list is out, they come with their credentials, which are checked. Their indigeneship is also verified before they continue to other screening stages," he said.

Borno recruitment numbers

Mr Jimmeh mentioned that 3,036 applicants from the state were initially shortlisted through the Nigerian Army recruitment portal.

Of this number, 2,100 candidates showed up for the screening exercise.

He said only 732 passed the various screening stages after identity checks, medical exams, physical assessments, and other tests.

"We have, all in all, 732 now that were successfully screened, which we can confirm by face and by name," Mr Jimmeh said.

He added that some successful candidates have already been sent to military training camps in Zaria, while others will go to Jaji and Osogbo.

How the screening works

Mr Jimmeh explained that the board sends two representatives from each of Borno’s 27 local governments during the exercise. This makes a total of 54 officials who help verify applicants’ indigeneship.

According to him, the representatives are chosen for their knowledge of families and communities in their local areas.

Applicants who cannot be verified are turned away before going to the physical and medical screening stages.

Mr Jimmeh said candidates who do not meet height, health, and fitness requirements are also disqualified.

He added that the board does a final check before transporting successful candidates to military camps.

"We escort them to the camps, check the names with the Army, and make sure only those who passed are taken before we leave," he said.

Rehabilitation records

When asked if the board had seen or verified the alleged list of 40 former insurgents, Mr Jimmeh said it had not.

"No, not at all," he answered.

"Not to my knowledge."

He mentioned a recent case where an applicant claimed to be from Borno but was later discovered to be from Plateau State.

According to him, this situation was reported to military authorities.

"Even the smallest issue, we detect it and flush it out," he said.

Mr Jimmeh clarified that the board does not keep records of rehabilitated or deradicalized former insurgents and has no role in rehabilitation programs.

"That is not our responsibility," he said.

"Our job is to ensure that Borno indigenes access opportunities in military and paramilitary services and that the recruitment process is clear."

Army has not replied

PREMIUM TIMES reached out to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Onyechi Anele, by phone and WhatsApp to get clarity on this issue.

But as of the time of this report, she had not responded to questions about whether any former Boko Haram members were shortlisted or if the list circulating online was real.