Fresh concerns have emerged over the Nigerian Army’s ongoing 91st Regular Recruits Intake (RRI 91) after reports surfaced that at least 40 former Boko Haram insurgents undergoing rehabilitation in Borno State have been shortlisted for recruitment into the military.
According to SaharaReporters, the former insurgents, described as “repentant” Boko Haram members, recently underwent medical examinations at the Nigerian Army 7 Division Military Hospital in Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, as part of the recruitment screening process.
The candidates are said to be among the 3,740 former Boko Haram members who have been reintegrated into society under the Borno State Government’s deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme.
The Nigerian Army’s 2026 recruitment exercise commenced on June 9 and is being conducted nationwide in line with established military procedures. However, the reported inclusion of former insurgents in the recruitment process has sparked controversy and raised questions among serving military personnel.
A military source quoted by SaharaReporters alleged that the Borno State Government facilitated the participation of the ex-insurgents in the screening exercise. “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,” the source said.
“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.” The source questioned how the former fighters met the recruitment requirements, noting that Army applicants are typically required to provide birth certificates, educational qualifications, certificates of origin, and recommendation letters.
“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,” the source alleged.
Another serving officer, identified as a lieutenant, also expressed concern over the development. “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,” the officer reportedly told SaharaReporters. The development comes amid growing unease among soldiers operating in the North-East over the reintegration of former insurgents into society.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that some military personnel accused the Borno State Government of encouraging troops to work alongside rehabilitated former Boko Haram members attached to local security outfits supporting military operations. According to the report, soldiers expressed fears that such arrangements could compromise military operations through intelligence leaks and sabotage.
One soldier told SaharaReporters that many personnel remained unconvinced about the sincerity of some former insurgents despite undergoing rehabilitation programmes. “The government wants to prove that the reintegration programme is working, so some of these ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members are being attached to security groups that work with troops in operations,” the soldier said. “But many of us are uncomfortable with the arrangement because there have been cases in the past where information leaked and operations were compromised. Trust is a major issue.”
The concerns follow the recent reintegration of 720 former insurgents, 992 spouses, and 2,050 children into various communities under Borno State’s “Borno Model” deradicalisation programme. Speaking at the reintegration ceremony, retired Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq, Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum and a member of the state’s Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Committee, described the initiative as a key component of the state’s non-kinetic approach to combating insurgency.
He said more than 350,000 individuals had reportedly surrendered from insurgent camps since the programme began in July 2021, while 9,680 people had been successfully reintegrated through nine batches. Despite the government’s assurances, the programme continues to generate debate, with critics questioning whether former insurgents can be fully trusted and whether adequate safeguards exist to prevent a return to extremist activities.
Efforts to obtain the Nigerian Army’s official reaction were unsuccessful. SaharaReporters reported that calls and text messages sent to the Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, were not responded to as of the time the report was filed.