Former Chief of Defence Staff, Retired General Lucky Irabor, has dismissed widespread claims that repentant Boko Haram terrorists are being recruited into the Nigerian military.

Speaking during a television appearances on Monday, Irabor expressed surprise over the origin of the perception, stressing that such claims are baseless and unfounded.

“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.

The retired military chief, who held several top positions including Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, and Chief of Defence Training and Operations, said his experience makes it clear that such infiltration is impossible.

“Before I became CDS, I was Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole… When I left, I became Chief of Defence Training and Operations… How could it be? Where people got that impression I cannot tell,” he said.

According to him, the military’s recruitment process is stringent and cannot be bypassed by anyone, including repentant terrorists. “It is impossible. Besides, you can’t come into the military if those in your local government have not actually sanctioned you,” he added.

Irabor clarified that Operation Safe Corridor is responsible for deradicalizing low-risk arrested terrorists and reintegrating them into society—not drafting them into the armed forces.

While he acknowledged gaps in Nigeria’s approach to fighting insecurity, he insisted that these shortcomings should not be viewed as failures by security agencies. He identified manpower and equipment as areas needing improvement.

He further argued that resolving insecurity goes beyond increased spending, emphasizing the need for deeper listening, understanding, and strategic intervention.