The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has declared that repentant terrorists and other reformed criminals will not be recruited into the force, warning traditional rulers, community leaders, and other stakeholders against recommending such individuals for enlistment.
The warning was issued by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Isyaku Mohammed, during a stakeholders’ meeting with officers of the Kwara State Police Command, traditional rulers, religious leaders, transport union representatives, and other community stakeholders in Ilorin.
Mohammed urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, community heads, and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to refrain from issuing recommendation letters for individuals with criminal records, stressing that the police would not compromise its recruitment standards.
“Traditional rulers and DPOs do sign for those people. And I don’t think they’ll recommend anybody who has been engaged in criminality in the name of ‘I’ve repented.’ I was privileged to serve in the North East. The military, in its own wisdom, accepted deradicalised Boko Haram members, reoriented them, and sent them back into society,” he said.
Recalling his experience in Yobe State, Mohammed said many community members strongly opposed the reintegration of former Boko Haram members despite the government’s deradicalisation programme.
“There was a town hall meeting I attended when I was DC Operations in Yobe. Officials came to sensitise the community and urged residents to accept the deradicalised individuals because they had repented. But the entire community rejected them. They said such people should be taken to another community where they were unknown.
“They argued that they could not accept someone who had killed their parents and destroyed their livelihoods returning with empowerment while the victims and their families remained without support. It became a subject of serious debate. However, that is a Federal Government decision, and the police cannot do anything about it,” he stated.
The DIG said the Nigeria Police would, however, ensure that such individuals are not admitted into its ranks.
“The only thing we can do is protect our own institution and ensure that such repentant people do not find their way into the Nigeria Police. We are doing everything possible to prevent not only repentant criminals but also other bad elements from gaining entry into the Force. Therefore, our stakeholders, community heads, and others should not recommend or conceal such individuals. If you do and they are recruited, after training we will send them back to your communities to police you, and you will bear the consequences,” he warned.
Mohammed also announced plans to establish a joint border patrol to combat cross-border crimes in Kwara State, citing its strategic location and shared boundaries with Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Niger states, and the Republic of Benin.
“Kwara State borders Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Niger, and the Benin Republic. The joint border patrol will operate along these border corridors to prevent criminal activities and stop criminals from exploiting them,” he said.
He explained that the Inspector General of Police directed all Deputy Inspectors General to tour states within their respective zones to engage stakeholders, assess security challenges firsthand, and identify operational gaps requiring attention.
The DIG also emphasised the importance of community policing, describing it as one of the most effective strategies for crime prevention.
“Community policing allows the people to take ownership of their security strategy,” he said, urging residents to work closely with security agencies by providing timely intelligence.
Mohammed further stressed the need for greater youth engagement, noting that creating productive opportunities for young people would play a significant role in reducing crime and improving security across communities.
