Defence Minister Musa says Nigerian soldiers are tired and will gradually withdraw from internal security duties as the police grow stronger. Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.) said troops have been overstretched by long deployments across the country. In his words, the police are improving and recruiting more officers. He believes that if the police get things right, there will be no need for the military in internal operations.
According to Musa, many soldiers spend two years in one place and often do not see their families. He said it is not a life they enjoy, but a necessity. Meanwhile, the armed forces are helping the police build capacity. As that capacity grows, he said, troops will start pulling out and return to barracks to rest and go on leave. He said he had just come from a homeland security meeting with police leaders, including the Inspector-General. The meeting looked at how to strengthen the police.
The minister’s message at a glance
| Speaker | Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), Minister of Defence |
| Main point | Military to withdraw gradually from internal operations as the police improve |
| Why | Troops are overstretched by long deployments |
| 2026 defence budget | ₦5.4 trillion |
| Recruitment | 12,000 more military personnel |
| Welfare | Free medical care, with airlift for serious cases, and family support groups |
| Timeline | None given |
The minister also spoke about the families of troops. He said military wives’ associations, such as the Nigerian Army Wives Association, support spouses while husbands are in the field. Other associations serve the Air Force and the Navy. They give members access to loans, medical care, and help with children and schooling.
On healthcare, he said military personnel are treated free. Anyone who needs it is flown out for treatment, he said. However, the military is working to improve its own healthcare. As a result, fewer personnel should need to travel for care.
Musa made similar remarks in recent days. He said the military’s role became necessary when security challenges exceeded police capacity. He also proposed bringing back highway tollgates with surveillance technology to track criminals. In December 2025, he had already said soldiers would leave road checkpoints so that police and civil defence officers could take over.
Musa gave no date for the withdrawal, and Sojworldnews could not find a police response. This report presents the minister’s remarks as he made them. We will update it when a timeline is announced.
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