According to Daily Post, the Federal Government has unveiled a national security strategy involving the re-engagement of military veterans to help secure “ungoverned spaces” across the country. The initiative aims to leverage the experience of retired personnel to provide an added layer of security in rural and conflict-affected zones currently underserved by regular armed forces.
The veterans are expected to act as a bridge between local communities and the formal military structure—supporting intelligence gathering and coordinating grassroots defense efforts. Officials argue this could be more cost-effective and culturally integrated than deploying active-duty troops to every remote area, though analysts are raising questions about chain of command and long-term sustainability.
The Nation confirmed the plan and Vanguard highlighted the economic angle, with officials linking improved security to farmer protection and food security.
Echotitbits take: Re-engaging veterans can scale security presence quickly without the lag time of training fresh recruits. The policy’s success will hinge on funding, clear command structures, and whether these units have defined legal powers—especially around arrest, detention, and rules of engagement.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/military-retirees-to-secure-ungoverned-areas-fg/ 2026-01-29
Photo Credit: The Punch
