Defense Minister says exhausted troops need relief, but communities battling kidnappers, terrorists, and armed gangs fear police are not ready to replace them.
By Onibiyo Segun
ABUJA, Nigeria — “My men are tired. I can tell you for free,” Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (rtd.) said at the APC Abuja Roundtable on November 5, announcing a gradual military withdrawal from routine internal security duties as police capacity improves.
Punch newspaper reported that Musa said troops can spend two years in one location without seeing their families. He announced no withdrawal timetable or list of affected locations, but said the military would remain available when threats exceed police capacity.
Victims Voices
In Maradun, Zamfara State, traditional leader Alhaji Musa Danburan told TruthNigeria: “When soldiers are here, we sleep. When they go for patrol, we pray. If they leave completely, who will we call?”
“If Army leaves Gwoza, we are exposed,” community leader Mallam Bukar Goni told TruthNigeria.
In Shiroro, Niger State, traditional leader Chief Sunday Ayuba described Erena’s Forward Operating Base as essential: “If you close it, Bagna and Erena will be empty in one week.”
Police Recruitment Is Not The Same As Operational Readiness
The government plans to recruit 50,000 police constables. The Ministry of Police Affairs has cited the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre and Nigeria’s participation in the West African Police Information System to improve intelligence sharing. But these initiatives do not prove that officers can reach threatened villages, confront heavily armed attackers or summon reinforcement, analysts say.
Analysts say the police strength must be measured by training, equipment and coverage, not headcount.
It is on record that Nigeria has approximately 140,000 active military personnel across its three services, compared with 371,800 police personnel, highlighting a significant difference in workforce size.
“I will recommend a readiness audit across all 774 LGAs (counties), checking trained Mobile Police units, armoured vehicles, radios, drones and rapid-response arrangements. Officers must reach threatened communities before attackers escape”, Police Assistant Inspector-General Okong Ekan (rtd.) told TruthNigeria in a chat.
Ekan went on to say, “withdrawal should depend on replacement units passing joint tests and equipment inspections.”
Military Operations Show Why The Transition Must Be Local
TruthNigeria’s reporting shows the demands facing troops. In Kukawa, Borno, Operation Hadin Kai troops and the air component repelled an ISWAP attack; residents fled and children were separated from families.
In Tangaza, Sokoto, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA struck Lakurawa camps in Waria Forest, while residents feared fighters could return.
In Mashegu–Kontagora, Niger, Army troops rescued 16 abducted people and recovered weapons, ammunition and motorcycles during operations between November 3 and 5.
Resting Soldiers Must Not Mean Abandoning Communities
“Premature withdrawal could let armed groups reclaim ground”, Colonel Bukar Hamisu (rtd), a security analyst said.
He went on to add: “I will propose six months of joint Army-police deployment and shared operations rooms. Police should repel two incidents with the Army in reserve before troops withdraw. Prolonged deployments and family separation damage morale and judgment of troops.”
“Soldiers need rest and retraining for external defence.” Hamisu explained.
Intelligence, Tollgates And Local Protection Must Connect
Security experts suggests that agencies need a shared intelligence picture. They recommended state fusion centres and county response protocols linking distress calls, radio networks and nearest units.
“A proposed technology-enabled tollgates will capture vehicle details and track suspicious movements. Police facing heavily armed terrorists need a military quick-reaction force,”, Colonel Mudi Attaihiru (rtd.) noted.
Attaihiru said cameras must connect to operations rooms and responders. “Tollgate with camera is good, but camera cannot shoot back”, he explained.
Attaihiru added that, “Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) can protect infrastructure; forest guards while community groups – hunters and vigilantes should provide local knowledge.”
Attaihiru opined that the Police need training, identification and clear command arrangements, not a role as substitutes for military firepower.
Washington Must Watch The Handover
In September 2026, U.S. Africa Command confirmed an equipment delivery to Nigerian Air Force facilities in Lagos and Kainji. It did not disclose the contents or quantities.
Security experts say the U.S. support cannot replace a credible domestic protection plan.
The Handover Needs Public Accountability
Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence in the 10th National Assembly, told TruthNigeria that “a joint committee comprising of the military formations, police, monarchs and the rest will be constituted to begin work on the modalities of the hand over.” He said he would participate and provide details after the work was completed.
Lawan’s response offers a proposed consultation, not an established plan or published readiness benchmarks. Practical questions about recruitment, equipment and deployment remain unanswered. No formation date or handover timetable was provided, or which communities would be first.
In conclusion, Attaihiru explained that, “Nigeria must relieve exhausted soldiers without transferring the danger to villagers. Before troops leave, authorities must identify who responds to a 2 a.m. distress call, how quickly reinforcement arrives and who remains accountable the next morning. The test is not whether soldiers return to barracks; it is whether vulnerable communities will remain protected.”
Onibiyo Segun reports on terrorism and conflict for TruthNigeria.
