The Federal Government has announced plans to deploy retired military personnel to help secure Nigeria’s ungoverned spaces, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen national security and stimulate economic activities in conflict-prone areas.
The initiative follows the inauguration of an 18-member committee by the Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, tasked with reclaiming ungoverned areas and repositioning the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans for more active national engagement.
The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja, with the minister represented by the Permanent Secretary, Richard Pheelangwa.
Speaking at the event, the defence minister said the deployment of military veterans would complement ongoing security operations by integrating experienced personnel into local security and development efforts, particularly in areas where government presence remains weak.
According to him, the strategy reflects a shift from heavy reliance on military offensives to a more inclusive and sustainable security framework that addresses the socio-economic roots of insecurity.
Musa explained that the committee’s mandate includes repositioning the veteran community to support national economic development, deploying veterans to secure ungoverned spaces, and strengthening the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires.
He said the initiative would also improve veterans’ welfare by ensuring their continued relevance and productive engagement after retirement, while contributing to national stability.
The minister noted that integrating veterans into security and development initiatives would enhance intelligence gathering, promote community trust, and encourage local ownership of security efforts.
He urged committee members to adopt innovative and practical approaches that would result in actionable recommendations capable of promoting inclusive growth, restoring effective governance in ungoverned spaces, and sustaining peace.
Members of the committee were drawn from the Joint Services Department of the Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Legion, Defence Headquarters, the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and the offices of the Ministers of Defence and State for Defence.
The move comes amid growing calls for the integration of retired military personnel into Nigeria’s security architecture, as a way of reducing pressure on active-duty troops deployed across various parts of the country.
Observers say that if fully implemented, the initiative could significantly reduce criminal activities in ungoverned spaces, strengthen community-based security, and ease the operational burden on frontline forces.
Be the first to comment