The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), has revealed that the military is working to gradually withdraw from internal security operations as Federal Government moves to strengthen Nigeria Police Force to take charge of its primary responsibilities.
Musa, who admitted that prolonged internal deployments have overstretched armed forces, said investments in police recruitment, training, equipment and institutional reforms are aimed at restoring police capacity to handle domestic security challenges.
He also advocated reintroduction of tollgates on major highways, backed by modern surveillance and vehicle identification technology, to strengthen security and curb movement of criminals.
He spoke at Abuja Roundtable, “Promise to Proof: The Renewed Hope Conversation”, organised by APC Progressive Strategy Roundtable and convened by Ismaeel Ahmed, Chairman and CEO of Presidential CNG Initiative and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV).
Addressing concerns over military’s increasing involvement in internal security, Musa explained soldiers were deployed to confront threats that overwhelmed conventional law enforcement.
He stressed such deployments should not become permanent substitute for effective policing, noting government is strengthening police to enable armed forces refocus on core constitutional duties.
He said military involvement became necessary when security challenges exceeded police capacity, adding that ultimate objective is to build police institution capable of independently maintaining internal security.
Musa said improved collaboration among armed forces, police and other agencies was already yielding gains, describing current level of interagency cooperation as unprecedented.
On security situation, minister disclosed troops killed more than 300 terrorists and bandits, including over 10 commanders, in operations in preceding week.
He attributed gains to improved intelligence, coordinated operations, increased defence spending and acquisition of modern surveillance and combat equipment.
He said Federal government allocated N5.4 trillion to defence in 2026 budget and is recruiting additional 12,000 military personnel to strengthen manpower.
The Government, he said, is investing in modern weapons, surveillance technology and operational platforms to improve troops’ mobility, intelligence capabilities, firepower and rapid response.
On highway security, Musa described proposed restoration of tollgates as worthwhile, suggesting dismantling facilities might have been mistake.
He said modern electronic tolling systems could identify vehicles by registration number and process payments without motorists stopping, while providing useful information to security agencies.
According to him, integrating such systems with surveillance infrastructure would make it easier to identify suspicious vehicles and track criminal movements.
Defence minister also advocated greater deployment of facial recognition, fingerprints and personal identification numbers to strengthen security architecture.
He said modern technology has become indispensable to effective law enforcement, particularly in identifying suspects and tracking crimes.
On border security, Musa identified Nigeria’s extensive and porous frontiers, particularly with Niger Republic, as major vulnerabilities exploited by terrorists, bandits and arms traffickers.
He said government is strengthening border surveillance and deepening intelligence-sharing with neighbouring countries and international partners.
Despite withdrawal of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali from ECOWAS, Musa said Nigeria continues to maintain security cooperation and military training relationships with three countries.
He warned that instability in Sahel poses serious threats to wider West African region, stressing need for sustained cooperation.
Minister also urged Nigerians to support security agencies with credible intelligence, noting criminal groups often operate within communities and rely on local networks.
He highlighted importance of civilian joint task forces, forest rangers and other community-based structures in protecting vulnerable communities.
Responding to concerns about whistleblower safety, Musa acknowledged need to protect citizens who volunteer information and disclosed Defence Ministry and service headquarters were exploring establishment of emergency reporting line.
On welfare, minister said Federal government substantially improved soldiers’ remuneration. He said monthly salary of private soldier, previously about N49,000, was first increased to about N100,000 and subsequently to nearly N200,000.
He said military personnel and families enjoy free medical treatment, while soldiers requiring specialised healthcare could be referred abroad.
He said personnel undergo psychological preparation before deployment and post-operational assessments for trauma-related conditions, including PTSD, spending between two and three weeks on assessment before rejoining families or units.
He reaffirmed commitment to welfare of injured personnel and families of fallen soldiers, including salaries, allowances, healthcare and educational support for children through university.
On defence industrialisation, Musa said Nigeria is strengthening local equipment manufacturing through legislative reforms and partnerships with international producers.
He said country’s first African International Military Defence Exhibition attracted 63 countries and created opportunities for domestic manufacturers.
He invited Nigerians with expertise in cybersecurity, drone technology and other defence-related innovations to collaborate with Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria.
Musa also welcomed proposals for stronger collaboration between security agencies and private electricity providers to address energy challenges facing local defence manufacturers.
He urged Nigerians to rise above religious, ethnic and regional differences in confronting insecurity.
He said ultimate evidence of progress would be farmers returning safely to farms, motorists travelling without fear, markets reopening and businesses operating in secure environments.
Also speaking, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Alhaji Mohamed Sheidu, said Federal Government approved about N100 billion to rehabilitate police training institutions nationwide.
Sheidu said years of inadequate funding undermined police training, infrastructure, equipment and welfare, weakening force’s capacity.
He said Trust Fund is implementing interventions covering training facilities, operational vehicles, protective equipment, police stations and welfare programmes.
He said improving training institutions is critical to producing officers equipped with professional skills and psychological preparation.
On welfare, Sheidu disclosed plans to provide 1,000 housing units per state for police officers through partnerships. He said groundbreaking for about 250 units has been done in Nasarawa State.
He said Fund is collaborating with Family Homes Funds and Rural Electrification Agency to provide housing and electricity, with some smart police stations equipped with off-grid solar.
He added Fund introduced welfare buses to transport officers from communities like Mararaba and Zuba to duty posts in Abuja, supported by donations of 40-seater and 50-seater buses, and is considering CNG buses to cut costs.
Sheidu also revealed partnership with National Agricultural Land Development Authority to provide agricultural opportunities for dependants of police officers, with preliminary talks with governors of Kano and Niger states.
On proposed state police, he expressed support but stressed need for sustained investment in existing federal structure.
- Media Report