Repentant Boko Haram Fighters Accused of Leaking Army Movements to Terrorists

Fresh concerns have emerged within Nigeria’s military following allegations that some “repentant” Boko Haram members are leaking sensitive operational information to terrorist networks. Several soldiers, quoted anonymously in a recent report, claimed that former insurgents enrolled in government rehabilitation programmes have been passing on details of troop movements, armory locations and operational plans to their former allies.

According to the report, troops deployed in the North-East expressed frustration that the presence of reintegrated fighters within certain military-controlled spaces is compromising security efforts.

One soldier alleged that the individuals routinely brief active Boko Haram commanders on upcoming operations and the positioning of weapons and ammunition. This, they say, has allowed terrorists to anticipate military advances and evade capture.

The claims have raised questions about the government’s deradicalisation and reintegration strategy, which aims to rehabilitate former militants and support their return to civilian life. Critics argue that inadequate monitoring and weak verification processes may have enabled some ex-fighters to exploit the programme while maintaining ties with terrorist cells.

So far, there has been no official response from the Nigerian Army regarding the allegations, and no publicly confirmed evidence linking the leaks to specific attacks. However, the concerns shared by frontline soldiers highlight the growing distrust surrounding the reintegration scheme and its potential impact on counter-insurgency operations.

Security analysts say the allegations, if verified, could prompt an overhaul of how repentant fighters are processed, monitored and granted access to military environments.

They have urged authorities to conduct a thorough review to prevent further compromise of national security operations in the region.