It’s impossible for terrorists to infiltrate military, ex-CDS Irabor replies Idris Wase

Lucky Irabor, former chief of defence staff (CDS), says claims that Boko Haram members are being recruited into the armed forces are untrue.

Irabor spoke on Monday during an interview aired on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme.

On November 27, Idris Wase, former deputy speaker of the house of representatives, said a previous recruitment exercise uncovered Boko Haram members, armed robbers and other criminals among shortlisted applicants for the military and police.

Wase added that Muktar Betara, former chair of the house committee on defence, could confirm his claim.

“My brother, former chairman of defence, and my very good friend Betara will bear me witness that we have moments in time when, in the process of recruitment, Boko Haram were found on the army list,” Wase had said.

“Armed robbers and other criminals were also found on the list of the army and police.”

Responding on the show, Irabor said such a scenario is impossible within the structure and processes inherent in the Nigerian military.

“It has always been a burden for me where we got this impression from,” he said.

“How can they be recruited? This does not exist.”

The retired general said his years in top operational and command roles further prove that such claims lack credibility.

Irabor recalled his progression across several commands in the Nigerian military for many years, adding that it is practically impossible for terrorists to find their way into the system.

“Before I became CDS, I was theatre commander, Operation Lafiya Dole. From there, I crossed over to become force commander, Multinational Joint Task Force,” he said.

“When I left, I became chief of defence training and operations, overseeing all that.

“And then I became theatre commander and later got appointed as CDS, a position I spent two and a half years in. How could it be? Where people got that impression, I cannot tell.”

Irabor added that even the most basic recruitment into the armed forces requires verification at the local government level, making it impossible for terrorists to infiltrate the ranks.

“It is impossible. Besides, you can’t come into the military if those in your local government have not actually sanctioned you,” he said.

The ex-CDS explained that Operation Safe Corridor — the programme responsible for deradicalising low-risk terrorist detainees — reintegrates beneficiaries into civilian communities, not the military.

While acknowledging gaps in Nigeria’s security response, Irabor said these challenges should not be interpreted as institutional failure.

He said manpower, equipment and a better grasp of evolving security dynamics are essential to improving counter-insurgency operations.

In recent years, the federal government has expanded efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate former Boko Haram fighters through Operation Safe Corridor.