Borno State denies sponsoring ex-Boko Haram members for Army recruitment

The Borno State Government has officially denied a Sahara Reporters claim that 40 former Boko Haram terrorists were shortlisted for the Nigerian Army's 91 Regular Recruit Intake. The Commissioner for Information, Usman Tar, referred inquiries to the Borno State Guidance and Counselling Board, whose Executive Secretary, Mohammed Jimmeh, dismissed the allegation as completely false.

Jimmeh told PREMIUM TIMES that 3,036 applicants from the state were initially shortlisted, but after rigorous identity verification, medical checks, and physical assessments, only 732 candidates were cleared. He emphasized that the board does not recruit or nominate anyone, and that candidates apply independently through the Army portal. One applicant was even exposed as a non-indigene from Plateau State and handed over to military authorities.

So who benefits from spreading this kind of story about Borno State? And why are we always quick to believe that former insurgents are being smuggled into our security forces without any evidence?