Ex-CDS Irabor denies Boko Haram recruitment into Nigerian military

Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor (retd.) has dismissed claims that repentant Boko Haram members are being recruited into the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Irabor described such reports as entirely false and implausible.

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

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

Drawing from his extensive military career, including roles as Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Force Commander of a Multinational Taskforce, Chief of Defence Training and Operations, and later CDS, Irabor emphasized that military recruitment procedures make it impossible for former terrorists to join the forces.

He added that local government verification is a key step that would prevent such infiltration.

Irabor also clarified that Operation Safe Corridor — the Federal Government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme for low-risk ex-Boko Haram combatants — does not involve military recruitment.

The programme focuses solely on rehabilitation and reintegration into civilian life.

While acknowledging ongoing security challenges nationwide, Irabor stressed that these issues are not due to military failures.

He highlighted the need for more personnel, better equipment, and a deeper understanding of evolving threats to effectively tackle insecurity in Nigeria.