Anglican bishop warns FG against enlisting repentant Boko Haram members into Nigerian Army 

The Anglican Bishop in charge of Ikeduru Diocese, Rt Rev. Emmanuel Maduwike, has urged the Federal Government to refrain from recruiting former Boko Haram members who have reportedly repented into the Nigerian Army.

He warned that the country is currently experiencing the most severe security crisis in its history. According to the Bishop, what was once considered a rumor is now a reality, with military intelligence reportedly being leaked to Boko Haram insurgents and bandits. He said these groups have allegedly killed several high‑ranking army officers in Northern Nigeria with relative ease.

The Bishop delivered his remarks while preaching at the 2026 meeting of the Council of Knights in Ikeduru Diocese.

He noted that recent events suggest that some alleged Boko Haram members are either directly involved in the nation’s defence structure or are closely allied with insurgents, sharing critical military intelligence. He said this has led to the killing of Nigerian soldiers in a well‑coordinated, merciless attack.

Mr Maduwike called for an objective inquiry into claims that senior military leaders have repeatedly instructed operational soldiers—particularly in the Northeast—to retreat or withdraw whenever they approached Boko Haram members.

He criticised the activities of bandits, saying they have driven indigenous people away, mainly from the North, while freely exploiting gold and other mineral resources in those areas.

The Bishop cautioned that enlisting repentant terrorists into the army could worsen the country’s security situation. He questioned the criteria used to determine whether a terrorist has truly repented and whether they can be trusted not to return to violence.

He added that it is not necessary to enlist every repentant terrorist in the army; alternative pathways such as skill acquisition, education, and other forms of human development should also be considered.

During the event, themed “Faithfulness in Service,” the Bishop urged the Knights to demonstrate genuine commitment and faithfulness to God and humanity whenever they are called to serve in the church or the public sphere.

He remarked that Jesus Christ was both spiritually and physically active throughout his earthly ministry, and that many Christians today show commitment in service for personal gain rather than out of self‑lessness.