The Federal Government has unveiled plans to deploy military retirees to help secure Nigeria’s ungoverned spaces, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen national security and stimulate economic activities in conflict-affected and underserved areas.
The initiative followed the inauguration of an 18-member committee by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), charged with reclaiming ungoverned spaces for economic viability and repositioning the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Defence, through its Deputy Director of Information, Enderline Chukwu, said 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 said the deployment of military veterans would complement ongoing security operations by integrating experienced and disciplined personnel into local security and development efforts, particularly in areas where government presence remains weak.
According to him, the initiative signals a strategic shift from an over-reliance on kinetic military operations to a more inclusive and sustainable approach that addresses the socio-economic drivers of insecurity.
“The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has inaugurated an 18-member committee on ‘Reclaiming Ungoverned Spaces for Economic Viability and the Repositioning of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans’ as part of renewed efforts to strengthen veterans’ welfare and enhance their contribution to national security,” the statement said.
Musa outlined the committee’s terms of reference to include 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 enhance operational effectiveness, facilitate veterans’ reintegration and promote their role in national security.
He stressed that the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that veterans who served the country with honour are empowered to live productive lives after retirement, while continuing to contribute to national stability.
“Deliberate integration of veterans into security and development initiatives will enhance local ownership, improve intelligence gathering and foster trust between communities and the state,” Musa said.
The minister urged committee members to adopt innovative and forward-looking approaches capable of producing actionable recommendations that support a holistic strategy for securing ungoverned spaces, promoting inclusive growth and sustaining peace.
Members of the committee were drawn 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 growing calls in recent years for the integration of military retirees into Nigeria’s security architecture, amid concerns over the heavy operational burden on serving personnel deployed across the country.
Observers say that if effectively implemented, the initiative could significantly reduce criminal activities in ungoverned spaces, ease pressure on frontline troops and strengthen community-based security and development efforts nationwide.
