A security analyst has warned that the Nigerian Armed Forces’ increasing involvement in internal security operations is undermining the Nigeria Police Force and posing long-term risks to the country’s democracy. Ambassador Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, a retired Army Captain, emphasized that the military’s constitutional role is to defend the country against external threats, not to perform routine internal policing duties.
The analyst’s comments come in response to recent statements by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who noted that the frequent deployment of the military for internal security duties is eroding the strength and effectiveness of the police and other civilian security agencies. Adamu explained that the rising insecurity across Nigeria, including terrorism, banditry, and communal violence, has led to the government’s increased reliance on the military to perform duties traditionally handled by the police.
As a result, soldiers are now commonly seen at road patrols, checkpoints, and arrests, which are core policing functions. Adamu noted that this growing reliance on the military indicates a weakness in civilian security institutions. He warned that when soldiers take the lead in internal security, the police fail to develop essential skills, such as intelligence gathering, investigation, and community policing, which are crucial in a democratic system.
This situation has serious consequences, particularly for the police, as it erodes their capacity and confidence. Adamu also expressed concerns about the impact on civil liberties and human rights, highlighting the differences in training and roles between soldiers and police officers. While soldiers are trained for combat, police officers are trained to protect citizens’ rights and conduct investigations.
The analyst clarified that the issue is not with the military, which is responding to national emergencies, but rather with delayed police reform and weak civilian security structures. He cautioned against an abrupt withdrawal of the military from internal security operations, citing the potential for a security vacuum. Instead, Adamu called for urgent reforms in the police sector, including improved funding, training, and equipment.
Nigeria needs to adopt intelligence-led and community-based policing, with a clear framework for military support to civil authorities only as a last resort. The analyst emphasized that Nigeria is not yet a military state, but continued dependence on soldiers for internal security is unhealthy for democracy. By addressing the weaknesses in the police force, the military can return to its constitutional role, and the country can mitigate the risks to its democratic system.
