Military’s Internal Security Role Weakening Police, Opines Buratai
Military’s Internal Security Role Weakening Police, Opines Buratai
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has warned that the military’s heavy involvement in domestic security is undermining the Nigeria Police Force.
He noted that while soldiers are filling critical gaps, their constant presence in civil matters has eroded the police’s traditional authority. This shift, he argues, forces the military to handle tasks for which it was not primarily designed.
Buratai pointed out that soldiers are currently deployed across nearly all 36 states to combat kidnapping, banditry, and communal unrest.
This widespread deployment has created a dependency on the armed forces, preventing the police from developing the capacity needed to manage internal crises. He stressed that the military’s true mandate is protecting national borders, not policing local communities.
To address this, Buratai called for a comprehensive reform of the police through increased funding, better training, and modern equipment.
He argued that empowering civil law enforcement is the only way to allow the military to withdraw to their barracks. Strengthening the police would restore the proper constitutional balance and rebuild public confidence in civil governance.
In conclusion, Buratai cautioned that the ongoing “militarization” of internal security is unsustainable and risks professional fatigue.
He maintained that the military should remain a last resort, used only in extreme cases when civil authorities are completely overwhelmed.
He urged the government to prioritize police independence to ensure a more effective and specialized national security structure.
