The Federal Government has announced plans to deploy military veterans 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 followed 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.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Defence, 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 the deployment of military retirees would complement ongoing security operations by integrating experienced personnel into local security and development efforts, especially in areas where government presence remains weak.
He said the approach marks a shift from an over-reliance on military offensives to a more inclusive and sustainable security strategy that also addresses the socio-economic roots of insecurity.
The minister outlined the committee’s terms of reference to include repositioning the veteran community to support national economic development, deploying veterans to help secure ungoverned spaces and bring them under effective oversight, and strengthening the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires to enhance operational effectiveness and facilitate veterans’ reintegration into society.
Musa stressed that the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that military veterans who served the country with honour are empowered to live productive lives after retirement while continuing to contribute to national stability.
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“Integrating veterans into security and development initiatives will enhance local ownership, improve intelligence gathering and foster trust between communities and the state,” he said.
He urged committee members to adopt innovative and practical approaches that would yield actionable recommendations capable of promoting inclusive growth, sustaining peace and improving security nationwide.
The committee comprises representatives from the Joint Services Department, 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.
The move comes amid growing calls for the inclusion of military retirees in Nigeria’s security architecture to reduce the pressure on overstretched serving personnel. If effectively implemented, the initiative is expected to curb criminal activities in ungoverned spaces, strengthen community-based security efforts and ease the burden on frontline troops.
