FG To Deploy Military Veterans To Secure Ungoverned Spaces

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to deploy military veterans to help secure Nigeria’s ungoverned spaces as part of a broader effort to strengthen national security and stimulate economic activity in conflict‑affected areas.

The initiative was announced following the inauguration of an 18‑member high‑powered committee by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.)

The committee is tasked with reclaiming ungoverned spaces for economic viability and repositioning the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans.

According to a statement on Wednesday by Enderline Chukwu, Deputy Director of Information at the Ministry of Defence, the committee was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Defence Ministry headquarters in Abuja. The minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Richard Pheelangwa.

Speaking at the event, Gen. Musa said the deployment of veterans would complement ongoing military operations by bringing experienced personnel into local security and community development efforts — especially in areas where the presence of the state remains weak.

He described the strategy as a shift away from an over‑reliance on offensive military action toward a more inclusive and sustainable approach that addresses the underlying socio‑economic drivers of insecurity.

“The Minister of Defence… has inaugurated an 18‑man membership committee on ‘Reclaiming Ungoverned Spaces for Economic Viability and the Repositioning of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans’ as part of a renewed effort to strengthen veterans’ welfare and ensure active participation of military veterans in strengthening national security,” the statement quoted Musa.

The minister outlined the committee’s three key mandates, which include repositioning the veteran community to support national economic development, deploying veterans to secure ungoverned spaces and bring them under effective oversight and development and repositioning the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires to strengthen operational effectiveness, facilitate veterans’ reintegration, and promote their contribution to national security

Gen. Musa emphasised that the initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that veterans, who served the country with honour, are empowered to live productive lives after retirement while continuing to contribute to national stability.

“Deliberate integration of veterans into security and development initiatives would enhance local ownership, improve intelligence gathering and foster trust between communities and the state,” he added.

He urged committee members to adopt innovative and forward‑looking approaches to generate actionable recommendations that would support a holistic strategy for securing ungoverned spaces, promoting inclusive growth, and sustaining peace.

Members of the committee were drawn from key security and policy institutions, including the Ministry’s Joint Services Department, Nigerian Legion, Defence Headquarters, the Defence Intelligence Agency, and the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the Offices of the Minister of Defence and Minister of State for Defence.