The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed reports alleging that it intends to recruit repentant terrorists into its ranks, assuring Nigerians that individuals with criminal backgrounds will not be admitted into the force.
The clarification was made by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the North Central Zone, Isyaku Mohammed, during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ilorin, Kwara State. The meeting brought together police officers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, transport union representatives, and other community stakeholders.
Mohammed urged community leaders, traditional rulers, and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to exercise caution when endorsing applicants seeking recruitment into the police, warning against recommending persons with questionable records.
“Traditional rulers and DPOs do sign for those people. And I don’t think they’ll recommend anybody who has been engaged in criminality in the name of ‘I’ve repented’,” he said.
Reflecting on his experience in the North-East, the DIG recalled that the military had implemented a deradicalisation programme for former Boko Haram members, but noted that many affected communities resisted their reintegration.
“The military, in its own wisdom, accepted deradicalised Boko Haram members, reoriented them, and sent them back into society,” Mohammed said.
He added that residents who had lost family members and livelihoods to insurgent attacks questioned why former fighters returned with empowerment packages while victims were yet to receive adequate support.
“They said, ‘I cannot see somebody who killed my parents coming back with empowerment, while my parents, whose businesses he destroyed, are still there without assistance.'”
Although he described the reintegration programme as a Federal Government policy, Mohammed stressed that the police would ensure such individuals do not gain entry into the force.
“The only thing we can do is to protect our own territory and ensure that such repentant people do not find their way into the Nigeria Police. We are doing everything possible to ensure that not just repented criminals, but also bad boys, do not find their way into the Nigeria Police.”
He further warned community leaders against facilitating the recruitment of unsuitable candidates.
“Don’t sign for them. Identify them and expose them. We will not allow them into the system. And if you do, after training, we’re sending them back to you to come and police your places. So, you take the consequences.”
His remarks come amid reports claiming that about 40 repentant Boko Haram members had been shortlisted for the Nigerian Army’s 91st Regular Recruits Intake, although the police insist no such consideration exists within the NPF.
The DIG also announced plans to launch a joint border patrol initiative across Kwara State’s borders with Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Niger States and the Republic of Benin to strengthen efforts against cross-border crime.
According to him, the initiative forms part of broader directives from the Inspector General of Police, who instructed senior police officers to engage stakeholders across their respective zones to assess security challenges and develop practical solutions.
Mohammed concluded by reiterating that community policing remains a key strategy in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
