Deploy Retired Soldiers to Secure Ungoverned Spaces in Nigeria
Why the Federal Government Is Turning to Retired Soldiers as Insecurity Persists
The Federal Government’s plan to deploy retired soldiers to secure ungoverned spaces in Nigeria has sparked wide debate across security, political, and civil society circles. The proposal, which is still at the policy and consultation stage, reflects growing concern within government that vast portions of the country remain vulnerable to criminal control due to limited state presence, manpower shortages, and difficult terrain.
According to senior security officials familiar with the discussions, the idea is to leverage the experience of retired military personnel to support ongoing efforts to stabilise areas described as “ungoverned spaces” — regions where bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, and armed criminal networks operate with little resistance.
Ungoverned spaces in Nigeria are largely found in forest corridors, border communities, riverine creeks, and remote rural settlements across the North-West, North-Central, parts of the North-East, and sections of the Niger Delta. These areas have increasingly become safe havens for criminal groups, undermining national security and economic activity.
The FG plans to deploy retired soldiers to secure ungoverned spaces as part of a broader strategy to reclaim these territories and restore effective governance.
What Are “Ungoverned Spaces” and Why They Matter
Ungoverned spaces are not simply areas without government offices. Security analysts describe them as locations where the state lacks effective control, intelligence reach, and rapid response capability. In such places, armed groups often impose informal authority, collect illegal levies, and carry out violent operations with minimal fear of arrest.
In Nigeria, these spaces have enabled the rise of banditry in Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna, terrorist operations linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP in Borno and neighbouring states, and oil theft and piracy in parts of the Niger Delta.
By proposing to deploy retired soldiers to secure ungoverned spaces, the Federal Government is acknowledging that conventional deployments alone have not been sufficient to close these gaps.
Why Retired Soldiers Are Being Considered
Security sources say the plan to deploy retired soldiers to secure ungoverned spaces is driven by three main factors:
1. Manpower Constraints
Nigeria’s armed forces are stretched thin, with ongoing commitments across multiple internal security operations.
2. Experience and Local Knowledge
Many retired soldiers possess decades of counterinsurgency, intelligence, and terrain-based operational experience.
3. Cost and Speed
Training new recruits takes time, while retired personnel can be mobilised more quickly for specialised roles.
Officials stress that the proposal is not to replace active-duty troops, but to complement them, especially in surveillance, mentoring, intelligence gathering, and stabilisation roles.
How the Deployment May Work
While details are still emerging, officials say the FG plans to deploy retired soldiers to secure ungoverned spaces through a structured framework that includes:
• Voluntary enlistment of retired military personnel
• Background screening and medical clearance
• Deployment in support roles under existing security agencies
• Clear rules of engagement and command hierarchy
• Collaboration with local communities and traditional institutions
The retired soldiers may work alongside the military, police, civil defence, and other security outfits, focusing on holding reclaimed territories and preventing criminal reoccupation.
Supporters Say the Plan Is Practical
Proponents argue that deploying retired soldiers to secure ungoverned spaces is a pragmatic response to Nigeria’s security reality. They note that similar models have been used in other countries facing internal security challenges, where veterans support border security, infrastructure protection, and rural stabilisation.
Some security experts say retired personnel are often better suited for community-facing roles because they are less likely to rotate frequently and can build trust over time.
“There is a wealth of institutional memory being underutilised,” a former military commander said. “If properly structured, this could strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture.“
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Critics Raise Legal and Ethical Concerns
Despite potential benefits, critics warn that the FG plan to deploy retired soldiers to secure ungoverned spaces raises serious questions.
Human rights groups have expressed concern about accountability, warning that unclear command structures could lead to abuses. Others question whether retired soldiers should be re-engaged without explicit legislative backing.
There are also concerns about welfare, insurance, and post-deployment support for retired personnel, especially given Nigeria’s history of delayed pensions and benefits.
Labour groups have cautioned against creating a parallel security force without addressing systemic issues such as poor policing, weak intelligence coordination, and socio-economic drivers of insecurity.
Link to Broader Security Reforms
The proposal comes amid wider reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security framework, including:
• Increased defence spending
• Expanded intelligence cooperation
• Use of technology such as drones and satellite surveillance
• Community policing initiatives
• Forest surveillance and border security operations
By planning to deploy retired soldiers to secure ungoverned spaces, the Federal Government appears to be seeking a stopgap solution while longer-term reforms mature.
What This Means for Communities
For residents of affected areas, the success or failure of this plan will be measured by tangible improvements in safety. Communities plagued by kidnappings, farm invasions, and attacks are desperate for sustained security presence rather than short-term military raids.
If properly implemented, supporters believe deploying retired soldiers to secure ungoverned spaces could help restore confidence, enable economic activity, and reopen abandoned farmlands and trade routes.
However, analysts warn that without parallel investment in development, education, and livelihoods, security gains may not be sustainable.
The Bigger Picture
Ultimately, the decision to deploy retired soldiers to secure ungoverned spaces reflects the depth of Nigeria’s security crisis and the urgency felt within government circles. It is a signal that traditional approaches alone have not fully addressed the problem.
Whether this plan succeeds will depend on transparency, legal clarity, proper funding, and strict oversight. Without these, critics fear it could become another short-lived intervention.
For now, the debate continues, as Nigerians weigh the promise of improved security against the risks of militarising governance in fragile regions.
Deploy Retired Soldiers to Secure Ungoverned Spaces in Nigeria
Deploy Retired Soldiers to Secure Ungoverned Spaces in Nigeria
