Colonel Ahmed Abdul Usman (rtd.), the Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Governor on Security Matters, has endorsed the Federal Government’s plan to gradually withdraw military personnel from routine internal security operations. Usman described the strategic shift as a necessary step to strengthen Nigeria’s overall security architecture and restore institutional balance among security agencies.
The endorsement follows a recent announcement by Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (rtd.) at the APC Abuja Roundtable. Musa stated that the Armed Forces would progressively exit internal security duties to allow the Nigeria Police Force to assume greater responsibility for maintaining law and order. This repositioning aims to enable the military to focus on its constitutional mandate of defending the country’s territorial integrity.
Usman argued that the police are better positioned to handle routine domestic security challenges, such as crime prevention, intelligence gathering, and public order maintenance, due to their statutory responsibilities and proximity to communities. He noted that the prolonged deployment of soldiers for internal security has placed considerable pressure on military resources, potentially compromising their ability to address increasingly sophisticated threats.
The proposed withdrawal must be gradual, carefully managed and strategically coordinated to prevent security gaps that could be exploited by terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups.
While supporting the transition, the retired military officer cautioned that the withdrawal should not be interpreted as an end to military involvement in domestic security. He emphasized that the Armed Forces must remain available to provide support whenever security challenges exceed the operational capacity of the police. Usman stressed the need for a clearly defined operational framework to ensure effective coordination, rapid response, and a sustained security presence in vulnerable communities.
Usman further called for stronger collaboration among the military, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS), highlighting that intelligence sharing and joint operations are essential to tackling Nigeria’s complex security landscape. He urged the Federal Government to increase investment in police recruitment, professional training, modern equipment, and logistical support to prepare the force for its expanded role.
Expressing optimism, Usman stated that a properly managed transition backed by adequate funding would produce a more balanced and responsive security system. He concluded that the ultimate objective is to establish a security architecture where every agency performs its constitutional responsibilities while retaining the flexibility to respond to extraordinary threats to national stability.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
