As part of attempts to bolster national security and stimulate economic activity in conflict-affected areas, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to deploy military veterans to help secure the country’s ungoverned areas.
This came after the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), appointed an 18-person team to reposition the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans to recapture ungoverned areas for economic viability.
The committee was established on Tuesday at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja, with the minister represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Information, Enderline Chukwu, on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations.
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Speaking at the ceremony, Musa claimed that the deployment of veterans into ungoverned areas would supplement current military operations by integrating seasoned people into local security and development initiatives, especially in places where the state’s presence is still weak.
The minister claims that the program represents a strategic change away from an excessive dependence on military offensives and towards a more sustainable and inclusive approach to security that addresses the socioeconomic causes of instability.
The minister claims that the program represents a strategic change away from an excessive dependence on military offensives and towards a more sustainable and inclusive approach to security that addresses the socioeconomic causes of instability.
“The Minister of Defence Gen. Christopher Musa (retd) has inaugurated an 18-man membership committee on “Reclaiming Ungoverned Spaces for Economic Viability and the Repositioning of the Nigerian Legion corps of Commissionaires and Veterans” as part of a renewed effort to strengthen Veterans welfare and ensure active participation of military veterans in strengthening national security.
“The Minister reeled out the three terms of reference of the committee to include: (1) To reposition the veteran community to support national economic development. (2) To deploy veterans to secure Ungoverned Spaces and ensure that the areas are brought under effective oversight and development.
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” (3) To reposition the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires, strengthen operational effectiveness, facilitate veterans reintegration and promote their contribution to national security.”
Musa emphasised that the program was a component of the Federal Government’s commitment to guaranteeing that veterans who honourably served their country are enabled to have fulfilling lives after retirement while continuing to contribute to the stability of the country.
“Deliberate integration of veterans into security and development initiatives would enhance local ownership, improve intelligence gathering and foster trust between communities and the state,” he added
He called on committee members to take creative and forward-thinking stances that would provide practical suggestions that could assist an all-encompassing plan for protecting ungoverned areas, encouraging inclusive development, and maintaining peace.
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, were among the committee’s members.
With this recent move by the Defence Minister, if fully implemented, the prevalence of criminal activities in our ungoverned spaces across the country could be significantly reduced, while easing operational pressure on frontline troops and strengthening community-based security efforts.
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