Sokoto Official Urges Caution in Military Withdrawal from Internal Security
A security aide to the Sokoto State Governor warns that the federal government's plan to transition internal security duties to the police must be phased carefully to avoid leaving vulnerable regions exposed to criminal threats.
The federal government’s initiative to transition internal security responsibilities from the military to the Nigeria Police Force has prompted a call for caution from Sokoto State. Col. Ahmed Abdul Usman (retd.), the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Sokoto State Governor, emphasized that while the shift in roles is a strategic objective, the execution must be managed to prevent dangerous security vacuums.
The Federal Strategy
The discussion follows an announcement by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), regarding the government’s intent to gradually withdraw military personnel from routine internal security operations. The stated goal is to allow the military to refocus on its core mandate of defending the nation’s territorial integrity while addressing high-level threats such as terrorism and banditry.
According to the federal plan, the Nigeria Police Force is expected to assume primary responsibility for law enforcement and the maintenance of public order. This transition aims to restore the traditional division of labor between the armed forces and domestic law enforcement agencies.
Concerns Over Security Gaps
In a statement issued in Sokoto on Saturday, Col. Usman expressed support for the principle of the withdrawal but highlighted the potential risks for states currently battling significant security challenges. He noted that regions facing persistent threats from bandits and criminal elements could be left vulnerable if the military presence is reduced prematurely.
The withdrawal must be gradual and properly coordinated to avoid creating security gaps, especially in areas facing serious threats from terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
Usman clarified that the withdrawal of troops from routine duties should not preclude military intervention in scenarios that exceed the capacity of the police and other civil security agencies. He advocated for a flexible approach where the military remains available to support domestic authorities during critical security incidents.
Strengthening the Police Force
To ensure the success of this transition, the Sokoto official outlined several requirements for the Nigeria Police Force. He urged the federal government to prioritize the following areas:
- Recruitment: Increasing the total number of personnel to handle expanded responsibilities.
- Training: Providing specialized training to equip officers for modern security challenges.
- Equipment: Supplying modern tools and technology to enhance operational efficiency.
- Intelligence: Improving capabilities for gathering and processing actionable intelligence.
The Need for Inter-Agency Collaboration
Beyond the transition of duties, Usman stressed the importance of synergy among the various security apparatuses. He called for enhanced collaboration between the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant agencies. Improved intelligence sharing and more tightly coordinated operations were identified as essential components for maintaining stability during and after the transition period.
As the federal government moves forward with this policy, the balance between restoring the military to its primary defense role and ensuring the safety of citizens in volatile regions remains a central point of national security discourse. Information regarding a specific timeline for this withdrawal has not been provided at this time.
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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria
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