A Nigerian security analyst, Ambassador Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, has warned that the frequent deployment of the military for internal security duties is weakening the Nigeria Police Force and posing long-term risks to democratic governance.
Speaking in an interview, the retired Army Captain said the Armed Forces are constitutionally meant for external defence, not routine policing. According to him, rising insecurity has pushed soldiers into roles traditionally handled by the police, including patrols, checkpoints and arrests.
Adamu noted that this trend is gradually eroding police capacity, intelligence gathering and community engagement, which are vital in a democratic system. He also raised concerns about civil liberties, stressing that soldiers are trained for combat, while police officers are trained to protect citizens’ rights.
While absolving the military of blame, he blamed weak civilian security institutions and delayed police reforms. He called for urgent investment in police training, funding and intelligence-led policing, warning that overreliance on soldiers is unhealthy for Nigeria’s democracy.
#NigeriaSecurity #PoliceReform #MilitaryDeployment #DemocracyWatch #NationalSecurity
