• Troops call policy a “deadly mistake that’s costing lives”

Frontline Nigerian soldiers battling Boko Haram insurgents in Borno and Yobe states have accused government-backed “repentant” fighters of leaking critical military intelligence — including troop movements, base routines, and armoury details — to active terrorists.

The soldiers, currently deployed across multiple bases in the Northeast, described the federal policy of integrating “repentant” Boko Haram members into military operations as a “deadly mistake that continues to cost lives.”

“Before Boko Haram attacks any camp, they already know our operational pattern,” one soldier told SaharaReporters on Tuesday. “These so-called repentant fighters tell them everything — how many men are at each post, what weapons we carry, and even our daily routines.”

He alleged that the former insurgents had compromised key operational secrets, including the location of the army’s armoury and timing of security drills.

“They tell Boko Haram that between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., all soldiers must return to camp for what we call ‘stand 2’ — the period when we monitor enemy movements. They also tell them where we keep our rifles, GMPGs, RPGs, PKTs, hand grenades, and bombs,” he said.

Sabotage Extends to Logistics and Supplies

According to the soldiers, the leaks have gone beyond military strategy to include logistical information.

“They even tell Boko Haram where our food store is, so during attacks they cart away our supplies to starve us. They know the exact time our food trucks arrive every month,” another source added.

He stressed that without insider information from the “repentant” elements, many of Boko Haram’s successful strikes would have failed.

“If terrorists don’t get such information, most of their attacks won’t succeed. But once they know our strength and positions, they strike with deadly precision.”

Growing Distrust Among Troops

The revelations have deepened mistrust within the army, with soldiers describing the arrangement as a “dangerous alliance” that compromises frontline safety.

“In our camp, we patrol and share intelligence with these people — the same ones who killed our colleagues. Some later run back to the bush after gathering intelligence from us,” one soldier lamented.

He said the decision to integrate ex-insurgents under the government’s deradicalisation programme has demoralised troops who view the policy as a betrayal of fallen soldiers.

“They say they’ve surrendered and are forgiven just like that, while we risk our lives daily. It doesn’t make sense,” he said.

Infiltration and Incentives

Multiple sources alleged that some “repentant” fighters have been given motorbikes, stipends, and even military uniforms by the Borno and Yobe State Governments, ostensibly to assist in counter-insurgency operations.

“They are paid and fed like soldiers. Only senior officers know their real numbers. We, the rank-and-file, don’t trust them,” one soldier said.

The Nigerian government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme has long sparked outrage and skepticism. In 2024, SaharaReporters reported that 13 “repentant” Boko Haram members escaped with motorcycles and weapons provided by the Borno State Government during a reintegration exercise.

That same year, the government claimed to have reintegrated 8,490 ex-fighters through its so-called “Borno Model” rehabilitation scheme — a policy critics say is increasingly endangering troops and civilians alike.

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