Some frontline Nigerian soldiers fighting Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe and Borno states have accused the government-backed “repentant” insurgents of leaking critical military strategies, positions, and weapon details to their former commanders.
The soldiers, who are currently serving in multiple bases across the Northeast, described the policy of integrating “repentant” Boko Haram members into military operations as a “deadly mistake that continues to cost lives.”
One of the personnel told SaharaReporters on Tuesday that the so-called repentant fighters routinely brief terrorist leaders about Nigerian Army movements and plans before major attacks.
“Before Boko Haram attack any military camp in the Northeast, they already know how we operate. These repentant fighters tell them everything,” the soldier revealed.
“They expose how many men we deploy at the gate or entrance, the kind of weapons we carry, even the daily routine in the camp.”
He added that the leaks had made many soldiers extremely vulnerable.
“They tell Boko Haram that every evening between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm, all soldiers must return to camp for what we call ‘stand 2’ — the period when we observe enemy movements. They also tell them where our armoury is located — where we keep rifles, GMPGs, RPGs, PKTs, hand grenades, and bombs.”
According to the soldier, the sabotage also extends to logistics and supplies.
“They even tell them where our food store is so that when Boko Haram attacks, they can cart away our food to starve us. Because we load food monthly, they know the exact time supplies arrive.”
He said that without insider information from these “repentant” elements, most Boko Haram attacks would not have succeeded.
“If the terrorists fail to get this information, they might not succeed or even come back alive. But once they know our strength and routine, they strike with precision.”
This revelation comes amid growing tension within the Nigerian Army over what soldiers describe as a “dangerous alliance” between troops and ex-insurgents disguised as repentant fighters.
As SaharaReporters earlier reported, many soldiers have expressed anger and frustration at being compelled by their commanders to patrol, share intelligence, and even live in the same camps with former Boko Haram members who “surrendered” under government amnesty programmes.
“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.
He added, however, that many of them had used that arrangement to infiltrate the army and feed information back to the terrorists
“Some of them have run back to the bush to rejoin Boko Haram after gathering intelligence from us. That’s why we don’t believe they are truly repentant.
Another soldier described the policy as a betrayal of the sacrifices of frontline troops.
“These people 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.”
According to multiple sources, some of these ex-fighters have been given motorbikes, stipends, and even military uniforms by the Yobe and Borno State Governments, allegedly to help in counter-insurgency operations.
“They are paid salaries and fed whatever we eat in the camp,” another soldier disclosed.
“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.”
The Nigerian government’s deradicalisation and reintegration policy has long drawn outrage and suspicion.
In 2024, SaharaReporters reported how 13 ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members escaped with motorcycles and sophisticated weapons provided by the Borno State Government, which had been training them for reintegration into the Nigerian military.
In July 2024, the state government claimed to have reintegrated 8,490 ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members through its “Borno Model” rehabilitation scheme.
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