At least 40 former Boko Haram members who reportedly completed Borno State's deradicalisation and reintegration programme have been shortlisted for the Nigerian Army's 91st Regular Recruits Intake (RRI 91) and have undergone medical screening in Maiduguri, according to a report by SaharaReporters.
The report, citing multiple military sources, said the candidates underwent medical examinations on Wednesday at the Nigerian Army 7 Division Military Hospital, Maimalari Cantonment, as part of the ongoing recruitment process for the 2026 intake.
According to the sources, the group was among the 3,740 former Boko Haram members recently reintegrated into society by the Borno State Government under its "Borno Model" deradicalisation programme.
One serving Army Major told SaharaReporters that while some of the candidates were declared medically unfit, most progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process.
The officer questioned how the former insurgents met the Army's entry requirements, which include educational qualifications, birth or age documentation, certificates of origin, and official recommendation letters.
Another military officer, identified as a Lieutenant, also expressed concern over the shortlisting process, saying the candidates were transported to the medical screening by the Borno State Government.
Neither officer provided documentary evidence to support the claims.
The Nigerian Army is currently conducting recruitment for its 91st Regular Recruits Intake, with screening exercises having commenced on June 9, 2026.
The report comes amid ongoing debate over Borno State's rehabilitation and reintegration programme for former insurgents.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that some soldiers deployed in the North-East raised concerns over directives requiring them to work alongside rehabilitated former Boko Haram members attached to local security groups supporting military operations.
According to the report, some serving personnel fear the arrangement could expose military operations to intelligence leaks and compromise troop safety. They argued that trust remains a major challenge despite the rehabilitation programme.
The Borno State Government has defended its deradicalisation initiative as part of its non-military strategy to combat insurgency.
Speaking during the recent reintegration of 720 former insurgents, alongside 992 spouses and 2,050 children, retired Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq, Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security, said the programme focuses on rehabilitation, counselling, vocational training and community reintegration.
State officials say more than 350,000 people have surrendered from insurgent camps since the programme began in 2021, with 9,680 individuals formally reintegrated through nine batches.
However, the programme continues to divide opinion, with critics questioning whether sufficient safeguards exist to prevent former insurgents from returning to extremist activities.
SaharaReporters said calls and a text message sent to the Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, seeking the Nigerian Army's response were not answered as of the time the report was published.
