The reported hiring of a former Boko Haram fighter as one of the nation’s prison authorities has once again brought attention to the bad status of Nigeria’s recruitment rules, which have been plagued by bribery and corruption.
Premium Times claims that Wilberforce Yohanna, a former member of Boko Haram, was hired to work at the Yola New Custodial Center in Adamawa State.
Documents proved that Yohanna’s affiliation with Boko Haram was made known as a result of his proficiency with a rifle during training.
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The document revealed, “While on training, he was found to be more versatile in the use and operations of firearms.
“Upon further interrogation and collaborative findings, he confessed to having been abducted and held hostage by members of the Boko Haram for two (2) years.”
Yohanna stated that after being coerced into joining Boko Haram, the terrorist organization taught him in the use of heavy weaponry.
He later escaped from the terrorist sect’s custody, according to prison officials.
Authorities from the federal government allegedly failed to look into Mr. Yohanna’s allegations that he was coerced into joining Boko Haram.
Despite the official’s past as a lethal combatant for the terrorist organization Boko Haram, the Correctional Service officials are unwilling – or unsure – about taking any action in Mr. Yohanna’s case.
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According to insiders, the Correctional Service is attempting to minimize unfavorable media attention in the event that the recruitment is made public.
Insiders told Premium Times that applicants get recruited into the correctional service without going through rigorous vetting by paying bribes.
“Usually, vetting is to be done before recruitment, but in the Correctional Service, little or no vetting is done.
“People pay for jobs and receive their employment letters at home. Level 8 is sold for 800k, Level 4-7 for 400k,” a correctional centre official disclosed.
According to Anaedoonline.ng, last Tuesday saw a successful attack by members of the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) on Abuja’s Kuje Medium Correctional Center.
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64 Boko Haram detainees and more than 800 other prisoners were all freed by the terrorists.
According to reports, an insider who was familiar with the facility may have assisted the terrorists in carrying out the attack.
