Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has raised serious concerns over the ongoing heavy reliance on soldiers for internal security operations across Nigeria, arguing that it is steadily undermining the growth and effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force and other civilian security agencies.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day lecture in Abuja on Monday, Buratai acknowledged that deploying troops nationwide — including across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory — delivers much-needed short-term stability amid persistent threats. However, he warned that this widespread military presence is creating a dangerous cycle of dependency.
“The extensive deployment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in internal security provides immediate stability, but it also perpetuates a cycle of dependency that weakens civil police capacity and strains defence resources,” Buratai said.He pointed out that the constant involvement of soldiers in routine policing duties is eroding the development of the police and internal intelligence institutions, which should naturally take the lead in managing internal security.
This overstretch, he added, diverts defence budgets to everyday law enforcement tasks and gradually reduces the military's readiness to handle conventional external threats.Buratai emphasized that, according to the Constitution, the primary role of the Armed Forces is to defend the nation against external aggression, protect territorial integrity, suppress insurrection, and offer aid to civil authorities only when necessary. “Internal security, more or less, should be civil-driven and intelligence-driven by the state intelligence services and the police, essentially,” he stated.
The retired general stressed that while the military remains essential for national development and stability, its expanded role in internal affairs must not permanently overshadow its core mandate or weaken civilian institutions. He called for a clear, time-bound, and conditions-based exit strategy to gradually hand over internal security responsibilities to properly equipped civilian agencies.
Ultimately, Buratai argued that Nigeria's long-term security and democratic health depend on building a strong, professional, and well-resourced police force capable of standing on its own, with the military stepping in only in exceptional circumstances.His remarks come as Nigeria continues to grapple with multifaceted security challenges, highlighting the urgent need for a balanced approach that strengthens civilian institutions without compromising national defence capabilities.
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