FG to deploy military retirees to secure ungoverned areas

The Federal Government has announced plans to deploy military retirees to help secure Nigeria’s ungoverned spaces, as part of broader efforts to strengthen national security and stimulate economic activities in conflict-affected areas.

The initiative follows the inauguration of an 18-member committee by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), charged with reclaiming ungoverned spaces for economic viability and repositioning the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans.

The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja. A statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Information, Enderline Chukwu, on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations, said the minister was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwa.

Speaking at the inauguration, Musa said deploying veterans to ungoverned areas would complement ongoing military operations by bringing experienced personnel into local security and development efforts, particularly in regions where government presence is weak.

According to him, the move signals a shift from heavy reliance on military offensives to a more inclusive and sustainable security approach that also addresses the socio-economic drivers of insecurity.

He outlined the committee’s three key terms of reference: repositioning the veteran community to support national economic development; deploying veterans to secure ungoverned spaces and bring them under effective oversight and development; and repositioning the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires to strengthen operational effectiveness, facilitate veterans’ reintegration and enhance their contribution to national security.

Musa noted that the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to veterans’ welfare, stressing that those who served the nation with honour must be empowered to live productive lives after retirement while still contributing to national stability.

He added that integrating veterans into security and development initiatives would improve intelligence gathering, enhance community trust and promote local ownership of security efforts.

The minister urged committee members to adopt innovative and forward-looking approaches that would result in actionable recommendations to support a holistic strategy for securing ungoverned spaces, promoting inclusive growth and sustaining peace.

The committee comprises representatives from the Joint Services Department of the Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Legion, Defence Headquarters, the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as the offices of the Ministers of Defence and State for Defence.

There have been increasing calls for the integration of military retirees into Nigeria’s security architecture to reduce pressure on overstretched serving personnel. Analysts say the new initiative, if fully implemented, could significantly curb criminal activities in ungoverned areas, ease operational strain on frontline troops and strengthen community-based security nationwide.