Repentant Boko Haram Members Allegedly Join Army Recruitment

Concerns As Repentant Boko Haram Members Allegedly Join Army Recruitment
Security sources claimed the candidates underwent medical screening in Maiduguri.
Army and Borno Government have yet to respond to the allegations.

At least 40 repentant Boko Haram insurgents have reportedly been shortlisted for the Nigerian Army’s 91st Regular Recruits Intake (RRI 91), raising concerns among some serving military personnel over the recruitment process.

The Nigerian Army is currently conducting its 2026 recruitment exercise for the 91st Regular Recruits Intake.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to multiple security sources cited by Sahara Reporters, the shortlisted individuals are among the 3,740 former Boko Haram members who were reintegrated into society under the Borno State Government’s deradicalisation programme.

The sources alleged that the 40 former insurgents underwent medical examinations on Wednesday at the Nigerian Army’s 7 Division Military Hospital, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, as part of the screening process for enlistment into the Army.

One serving Army Major claimed that although some of the candidates did not pass the medical screening, the majority progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

“I can categorically confirm to you that the Borno State government brought forty repentant Boko Haram fighters who were shortlisted by the Army for their medical examinations during the week. Though some of them were rejected as not medically fit, most of them were screened to the next stage. It happened here at the 7 Division medical centre.

“It seems the repentant Boko Haram fighters are so special to the Borno State government. We are still surprised how they were shortlisted, because to join the Army, you need to provide documents such as a birth certificate or age declaration, educational certificates, a certificate of state of origin, and a recommendation letter or attestation from government officials, but these guys have none of this.

“You can’t recruit people who haven’t finished secondary school simply because you want to compensate them. We hope the Borno State government hasn’t provided them with fake certificates to force them in as soldiers,” the officer said.

Another serving officer, identified as a Lieutenant, also questioned how the former insurgents were able to make the shortlist for recruitment.

Concerns As Repentant Boko Haram Members Allegedly Join Army Recruitment

“Yes, they all came for medicals this week, and this raises concern about the shortlisting process. It simply means convicted criminals can join the Army easily. They were all brought in by a bus provided by the Borno Government.”

Neither the Nigerian Army nor the Borno State Government has officially responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.