A former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, says the increasing deployment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for internal security duties is weakening the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force and other civilian security agencies.
Speaking at the National Defence College in Abuja on Monday, while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebrations and Remembrance Day lecture, Buratai said the military’s widespread presence across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory is eroding the growth and effectiveness of institutions meant to lead internal security operations.
He said while military deployment provides immediate stability, it creates dependency that weakens police capacity, overstretches the armed forces and diverts defence resources to routine policing, reducing preparedness for conventional threats. Buratai added that the constitution assigns the military roles of external defence, territorial protection and support to civil authorities when required.
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The former army chief said internal security should be civil-driven and intelligence-led, calling for a clear, time-bound exit strategy to return responsibilities to civilian agencies.
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