By Micah Jonah
January 13, 2026
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai retd has cautioned that the growing deployment of soldiers for internal security operations across Nigeria is gradually weakening the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force and other civilian security agencies, despite providing short term stability.
Military personnel are currently deployed in all parts of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, in support of internal security efforts.
Buratai made the remarks on Monday, while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day lecture held in Abuja.
He warned that the widespread presence of soldiers across Nigeria’s 36 states is eroding the growth, effectiveness, confidence of civilian led security institutions that are constitutionally expected to handle internal security.
“The extensive deployment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in internal security provides immediate stability, however, perpetuates a cycle of dependency that weakens civil police capacity and strains defence resources,” Buratai said.
According to him, the trend has created a dangerous imbalance where the military is overstretched, defence budgets are diverted to routine policing duties, and the Armed Forces’ readiness to confront conventional and external threats is reduced.
Buratai reminded that the constitutional mandate of the Armed Forces of Nigeria includes defending the country against external aggression, protecting territorial integrity, suppressing insurrection and providing aid to civil authorities when necessary.
However, he stressed that internal security should fundamentally remain civilian led, intelligence driven, with the police and state intelligence agencies at the forefront.
“Internal security, more or less, should be civil driven and intelligence driven by the state intelligence services and the police, essentially,” he said.
He warned against allowing developmental and internal security roles to permanently replace the military’s core responsibility of national defence.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains a vital force for national development and stability, but its expanded internal role must not compromise its core mandate or weaken civilian institutions,” Buratai added.
The former army chief called for a clear, time bound and conditions based exit strategy that would gradually return internal security responsibilities to civilian authorities while preserving the military’s preparedness for its primary mission.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s long term security and democratic stability depend on strong, well equipped and professional police and intelligence services, with military intervention reserved for exceptional circumstances.
Earlier at the event, the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa, called for a coordinated national crackdown on the use of local transportation systems by criminal networks to move weapons, drugs and other illicit materials across the country.
Musa said addressing the challenge requires the active involvement of local governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders and communities, stressing that security is a shared responsibility beyond the armed forces.
“Security is a shared responsibility. Local governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders and communities all have critical roles to play. We must work together to disrupt criminal networks that exploit local transportation systems to move weapons, drugs and illicit materials across our borders. Effective community engagement remains essential to long term security,” he said.
The Defence Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a stronger, more self reliant and professional Nigerian Armed Forces, noting ongoing efforts to improve troop welfare, training, doctrine and indigenous defence production.
According to him, Nigeria is making steady progress in developing locally manufactured defence equipment, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers while strengthening the country’s defence industrial base and job creation.
“Our goal is to develop sustainable long term defence capabilities while reducing dependence on external sources. The revitalisation of indigenous defence industries has gained renewed momentum through policy reforms and legislative frameworks that encourage private sector participation, deepen local content and drive innovation,” Musa said.
He also commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and personnel of the Armed Forces for their professionalism and sacrifices, assuring Nigerians of the military’s resolve to confront security threats.
“Our Armed Forces have the capacity, the will and the resolve to defeat enemies of the state and safeguard our people. Enhanced naval operations and improved maritime awareness have curtailed criminal activities, protected critical national assets and boosted offshore productivity,” he added.
The remarks come amid persistent security challenges posed by armed groups, bandits and criminal networks exploiting informal transport routes to move fighters, weapons and illicit goods across states and borders.
