Police will not recruit repentant terrorists, says DIG Mohammed

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the North Central Zone, Isyaku Mohammed, has said the Nigeria Police Force will not admit repentant terrorists or other former criminals into its ranks, warning stakeholders against recommending such individuals for recruitment.

Mohammed stated this on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State, attended by police officers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, transport union representatives and other community stakeholders.

The DIG urged community leaders, religious authorities and security stakeholders to be vigilant during the recruitment process and refrain from endorsing individuals with criminal backgrounds. According to him, community leaders have a responsibility to identify and expose criminal elements rather than facilitate their entry into security agencies.

Drawing from his experience in the North East, Mohammed recalled efforts by the Federal Government and the military to rehabilitate and reintegrate former Boko Haram members into society. He noted that many affected communities were reluctant to accept the return of individuals they believed had inflicted pain and suffering on residents.

He said victims and their families often struggled to accept the reintegration of former insurgents, particularly when those who suffered losses had not received adequate support or compensation. While acknowledging that rehabilitation programmes were government policies, he stressed that the police remained focused on safeguarding the integrity of the force.

“The only thing we can do is protect our own territory and ensure that such repented people do not find their way into the Nigeria Police. We are doing everything possible to ensure that not only repentant criminals but also other undesirable elements do not gain entry into the force,” he said.

Mohammed also disclosed plans to inaugurate a joint border patrol operation to strengthen security across Kwara State. He explained that the initiative would cover border corridors linking Kwara with Oyo, Ekiti, Kogi and Niger states, as well as neighbouring Benin Republic, with the aim of curbing cross-border crimes and criminal activities.

The DIG further revealed that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, had directed all Deputy Inspectors-General to engage stakeholders across their zones to obtain firsthand assessments of security challenges and identify practical solutions. He advocated community policing as a vital crime-prevention strategy, stressing the importance of timely information sharing and youth engagement in promoting security and social stability.