- Safiu Kehinde
The former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has refuted claims of Nigerian Armed Force being responsible for the recruitment of repentant Boko Haram into the Force.
Buratai explained that recruitments are done by the Armed Force in collaboration with the states government.
The ex-Army Chief gave the explanation in reaction to the allegation made against the Force by the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase.
According to reports, Wase had, during the lower chamber’s plenary session last week, revealed that suspected members of Boko Haram and other criminal elements were discovered on the recruitment lists of the Nigerian Army and Police Force.
Wase, who represents the Wase Federal Constituency in Plateau State, emphasized that such infiltration poses a ‘grave threat to national security’ and undermines the country’s overall security architecture.
Reacting to the allegation at an event on Tuesday, Buruati reiterated that the recruitment is not dome by the army.
“It is not the army that is responsible for recruiting into the military or the army in the first instance.
“It is what the state gives and we only select. They do it in conjunction with the state government. We have recruitment officers in the state, and they liaised with the state governors.
“Once they are shortlisted the lists are circulated all over. And they are the ones to identify that ‘look this one is so and so. Before he goes for training, remove him.’
“When at the basic point you failed to do your responsibilities and now blaming those institutions that recruited them, it is just sentiment.” Buratai said.
He alleged that the claims were orchestrated by some undisclosed forces who are bent on demoralising the military.
“There are some forces probably who are willing to continously demoralise and make the military look as if they are deliberately recruiting terrorists and bandits into the services.
I remember there was time they even alleged that the DSS and Police are also recruiting badits. But no institution does that. You must have an indigene letter or identification from your local government to your state.
“When somebody is being recruited, you can’t blame the Amry, Air Force, or the Navy.
“So, they must search themselves and this thing must be done. That is why I raised the tripartite partnership. The government, security agencies, and the populace must work together.” Buratiat added.