EXCLUSIVE: Soldiers Raise Alarm As Nigerian Army Forces Them To Work With ‘Repentant’ Boko Haram Fighters They Don’t Trust

Several Nigerian soldiers have expressed anger and fear over what they described as a dangerous policy by the Nigerian Army compelling troops to work alongside ‘repentant’ Boko Haram fighters in parts of Yobe and other states in the Northeast, SaharaReporters has learnt.

According to multiple military sources who spoke exclusively to SaharaReporters, the soldiers said their commanders were forcing them to patrol, share intelligence, and even live in the same camps with former Boko Haram members who “surrendered” to the government despite deep distrust and repeated cases of betrayal.

“In our camp, we have repentant Boko Haram members; those ones that surrendered. They are working with us. We go on patrol together so that they can give us information about Boko Haram fighters still hiding in the bush,” one soldier said.

The source explained that the arrangement, which was introduced as part of the Nigerian military’s counterinsurgency strategy, has left many soldiers uncomfortable and suspicious.

“There are normal vigilantes, and there are repentant Boko Haram,” the soldier continued.

“Some of these people help us navigate the bush because they know the terrain, but we don’t trust them. Many of them have run back to the bush to rejoin Boko Haram after gathering information from us. That’s why we don’t believe they are truly repentant.”

Another source disclosed that, while not all army camps have “repentant fighters,” those that do are given separate accommodation within military bases and are supported by both the army and state governments.

“They gave them motorbikes and even allow them to wear army uniforms,” the soldier said.

“If they run away, they can use the uniform to commit crimes. That’s why you see some of them wearing our uniforms outside.”

The soldiers alleged that both the Yobe State Government and the Nigerian Army are providing the ex-fighters with food and stipends.

SaharaReporters learnt that such benefits have caused resentment among regular troops who risk their lives daily.

“The state government pays them salaries, and the army also feeds them whatever we eat in the camp,” another soldier explained.

“We know them among the normal vigilante groups. Only our senior officers know their real numbers. We, the field soldiers, don’t like them, but our commanders say we must work with them. We have no choice.”

Military sources disclosed that some of the ‘repentant’ Boko Haram fighters have been integrated into army operations at locations including the 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Gari, Yobe State, and Kukareta Camp, headquartered in Damaturu, Sector 2.

“We can never trust them,” one visibly angry soldier said. “These are people who killed our colleagues and civilians. Then one day, they say they have surrendered, and the government forgives them just like that. Now we are forced to work with them. It doesn’t make sense.”

The policy of reintegrating so-called ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members into society has sparked public outrage for years.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how no fewer than 13 ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members escaped with sophisticated weapons and motorcycles provided to them by the Borno State Government in 2024.

It was gathered that the ‘escaped’ repentant terrorists were being trained and equipped by the Borno Government for them to join the Nigerian military in the fight against insurgents in the state.

In July 2024, SaharaReporters also reported how the state government said it had reintegrated 8,490 ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members into society through the Borno Model process.