Former Nigerian Army Chief Calls for Police Reform and Expanded Security Cooperation
A former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has emphasized the need for a well-equipped and expanded Nigeria Police Force to handle internal security responsibilities, reducing the country’s reliance on the military for routine policing duties. Buratai made this observation at the National Symposium/Lecture Series commemorating the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day in Abuja.
The retired general proposed a professionalized police force with a strength of around 1.5 million officers, capable of independently managing internal security. He also advocated for comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s security and governance architecture to ensure long-term security and stability. Buratai suggested repositioning the armed forces as a catalyst for national development, focusing on high-intensity combat and external defense.
To achieve these goals, Buratai recommended establishing a National Defence Innovation Fund, leveraging public-private partnerships to finance research and development in critical technologies such as cyber defense and renewable energy solutions. He also proposed a revised National Service and Veterans’ Framework, transforming the National Youth Service Corps into a mandatory national service scheme with military and civic tracks.
Additionally, Buratai called for the passage of a Veterans’ Rights and Transition Act to guarantee timely pensions, healthcare access, and skills conversion programs for retired personnel. He emphasized the need for strengthened multilateral cooperation, particularly in regional security frameworks such as the Multinational Joint Task Force and the Gulf of Guinea maritime security architecture.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a professional and resilient armed forces capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and supporting national development. The ministry is focusing on troop welfare, enhanced training, and expansion of indigenous defense production to ensure sustainable long-term security capabilities.
Buratai’s recommendations come as Nigeria continues to face security challenges, including terrorism and banditry. The proposed reforms aim to optimize resources, strengthen national unity, and secure a more prosperous future for the country. With the government’s commitment to building a professional armed forces and the proposed security reforms, Nigeria may be able to address its internal and external security challenges more effectively.
