In a startling revelation that has left many Nigerians asking “What is really going on in the Army?”, several soldiers have voiced outrage over a policy compelling them to patrol, share intelligence, and even live in the same camps with so-called ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members. According to multiple military sources, these ex-insurgents, who once terrorized communities, are now being treated as partners in counterinsurgency operations across Yobe and other northeastern states. “They are working with us, eating with us, and even wearing our uniforms,” one frustrated soldier revealed.
The arrangement, introduced under the guise of national reintegration, has created deep tension and fear within the ranks. Many soldiers told reporters they no longer feel safe among the very people who once ambushed and killed their comrades. “Some of them pretend to be helping but later disappear—only to rejoin Boko Haram after gathering sensitive intelligence,” a source lamented. Despite these concerns, commanders allegedly insist that the troops must cooperate, claiming the former fighters’ knowledge of the terrain gives the military an advantage.
But soldiers say the policy is a ticking time bomb. They accuse both the Nigerian Army and Yobe State Government of pampering the ex-fighters with food, stipends, and even motorbikes—benefits denied to the men and women risking their lives on the frontlines. “We are forced to work with those who once hunted us,” another soldier said bitterly. “It doesn’t make sense.” As the nation watches in disbelief, one question lingers: Can true peace ever come from trusting those who once waged war against it?
