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The Nigerian Government has announced plans to deploy military veterans to help secure Nigeria’s ungoverned spaces as part of strategies to strengthen national security and drive economic activities in conflict-affected areas.
The plan was unveiled following the inauguration of an 18-member committee by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, to reclaim ungoverned spaces and reposition the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans. Richard Pheelangwa, the Permanent Secretary, attended the function on behalf of the minister.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Defence said the committee was inaugurated on Tuesday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to Musa, the action represents a shift from primarily using military force to a more comprehensive strategy that also takes into account social and economic factors contributing to insecurity.
Musa said deploying veterans into ungoverned areas would support ongoing military operations by leveraging experienced former personnel to boost local security and development, especially in areas with weak government presence.
“The deliberate integration of veterans into security and development initiatives would enhance local ownership, improve intelligence gathering and foster trust between communities and the state,” Musa said.
According to the minister, the committee has three main responsibilities: repositioning veterans to support national economic development; deploying veterans to help secure ungoverned spaces and bring them under effective oversight; and strengthening the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires to improve operations, support veterans’ reintegration and enhance their role in 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.
” (3) To reposition the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires, strengthen operational effectiveness, facilitate veterans reintegration and promote their contribution to national security.”
Musa said the initiative also aligns with the government’s commitment to improving veterans’ welfare and ensuring they remain productive after retirement while continuing to contribute to national stability.
He urged committee members to adopt practical, forward-looking ideas that would yield clear recommendations for securing ungoverned spaces, promoting inclusive growth, and sustaining peace.
Members of the committee were drawn from the Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters, the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigerian Legion, and the offices of the Ministers of Defence and State for Defence.
