The Federal Government has announced plans to deploy retired military personnel to help secure Nigeria’s ungoverned spaces, as part of broader efforts to strengthen national security and stimulate economic activities in conflict-prone areas.
The move followed the inauguration of an 18-member committee by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), charged with reclaiming ungoverned territories for economic viability and repositioning the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans.
According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director of Information at the Ministry of Defence, Enderline Chukwu, the committee was inaugurated on Tuesday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
The minister was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa.
Speaking at the inauguration, Musa explained that deploying veterans would complement ongoing military operations by integrating experienced personnel into local security and development initiatives, particularly in areas with limited government presence.
He noted that the strategy marks a shift from excessive dependence on military offensives to a more inclusive and sustainable security approach that also addresses the socio-economic roots of insecurity.
The committee’s terms of reference include repositioning the veteran community to support national economic development, deploying veterans to secure ungoverned spaces and bring them under effective oversight, and strengthening the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires to enhance veterans’ reintegration and contribution to national security.
Musa emphasized that the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to improving veterans’ welfare while ensuring they continue to play meaningful roles in maintaining national stability.
He added that integrating veterans into security and development efforts would boost community trust, improve intelligence gathering, and encourage local ownership of peace-building initiatives.
Committee members were drawn from the Joint Services Department of the Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters, the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigerian Legion, and the offices of the Ministers of Defence and State for Defence.
The decision comes amid growing calls for the inclusion of military retirees in Nigeria’s security framework, to reduce pressure on active personnel and strengthen community-based security nationwide.
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