Borno State denies sponsoring former Boko Haram members for Nigerian Army enlistment

Borno State officials have strongly refuted claims that the government sponsored former Boko Haram members for enlistment into the Nigerian Army. The denial comes in response to a Sahara Reporters article alleging that 40 former insurgents were shortlisted for the Nigerian Army's 91 Regular Recruit Intake and were undergoing medical screening in Borno State.

Usman Tar, Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, initially directed inquiries to the Borno State Guidance and Counselling Board, identifying it as the agency responsible for recruitment support and attestation for military and paramilitary recruitment exercises. However, Mohammed Jimmeh, the Executive Secretary of the board, unequivocally dismissed the report.

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

"No, no, that is not true. I am surprised myself when I saw this because I’ve been there throughout the screening," Jimmeh stated. He clarified that neither the state government nor his agency sponsored or recommended any former insurgents for enlistment. Jimmeh asserted that the 732 candidates successfully enlisted from Borno State, out of 3,036 initial applicants, are genuine indigenes and not associated with the alleged group.

Jimmeh explained that candidates apply directly through the Nigerian Army portal. The Guidance and Counselling Board's involvement begins only after the Army releases its shortlist. Their role includes verifying the indigene status of successful candidates and coordinating logistics for their movement to training depots. "Candidates apply through the Nigerian Army portal. When the list is published, they come with their credentials, which are checked. Their indigeneship is equally verified before they proceed to other stages of screening," he said. He confirmed that 732 individuals were successfully screened and have been or will be transported to military training centers.

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Candidates apply through the Nigerian Army portal. When the list is published, they come with their credentials, which are checked. Their indigeneship is equally verified before they proceed to other stages of screening.