Military working to withdraw from internal security operations
By Egena Sunday Ode
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (rtd.), has called for the reintroduction of tollgates and deployment of modern technology to strengthen security on Nigeria’s highways.
Musa said tollgates, fitted with modern technology, would allow vehicles to be identified and monitored without motorists stopping for manual payments.
He spoke at the Abuja roundtable, Promise to Proof: The Renewed Hope Conversation, organised by the APC Progressive Strategy Roundtable.
Responding to concerns on highway security and a suggestion that motorists could contribute through security levies at tollgates, Musa described the reintroduction of tollgates as a good idea, noting that Nigeria might have made a mistake by dismantling them.
He explained that modern tolling systems in other countries identify vehicles through registration numbers, with payments processed electronically, adding that such systems could also assist security agencies in tracking vehicles.
The minister also called for strengthening Nigeria’s identification system through personal identification numbers, facial recognition and fingerprints.
On the broader security situation, Musa said the Federal Government was recording progress against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping through increased defence investment, improved intelligence gathering, joint military operations and stronger inter-agency cooperation.
He disclosed that the government allocated N5.4 trillion to defence in the 2026 budget and was recruiting an additional 12,000 military personnel.
According to him, the government was also investing in modern weapons, surveillance systems and operational platforms to improve intelligence, mobility, firepower and rapid response.
He said security forces killed more than 300 terrorists and bandits, including over 10 commanders, in operations in the week preceding his presentation.
Musa identified porous borders as a major challenge, noting that Nigeria shares extensive borders with neighbouring countries, particularly Niger Republic, through which criminal groups and illicit arms move.
He said the government was strengthening border security and expanding bilateral, regional and international defence cooperation through intelligence sharing, specialised training and technological support.
He added that Nigeria continued to maintain security relationships with Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali despite their withdrawal from ECOWAS, including military training and cooperation around border areas.
The minister warned that instability in the Sahel posed a serious threat to West Africa and urged regional countries to work together to prevent the collapse of neighbouring states.
He highlighted the importance of local defence manufacturing, disclosing that the government had strengthened the defence industry through legislative reforms and partnerships with equipment manufacturers.
He said Nigeria recently hosted the first African International Military Defence Exhibition, which attracted 63 countries and gave local manufacturers opportunities to meet international partners and sign investment agreements.
Musa called on Nigerians with expertise in cybersecurity, drone manufacturing and other defence technologies to bring forward ideas for collaboration with the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria.
On the military’s involvement in internal security, Musa acknowledged that soldiers had become overstretched by prolonged deployments.
He said military involvement was necessary where challenges exceeded police capacity, but stressed that the armed forces were working to strengthen police capacity to enable soldiers to gradually return to their primary responsibilities.
He said security agencies were enjoying unprecedented cooperation, describing the current level of inter-agency coordination as a significant improvement.
Musa urged communities to report suspicious activities, saying criminals often operated within communities and depended on local support.
He cited community-based intelligence and the use of civilian joint task forces as important components of the security strategy.
He also disclosed that the military was working with forest rangers and other community-based security structures to protect farmers.
On welfare, Musa said the government had increased soldiers’ salaries and was improving living conditions, healthcare and operational support.
He recalled that a private soldier previously earned about N49,000 monthly before it was increased to approximately N100,000 and subsequently to nearly N200,000.
He said military personnel and their families were entitled to free medical treatment, adding that soldiers requiring specialised treatment could be flown abroad.
Musa said personnel underwent psychological preparation before deployment and assessment after operations, including two to three weeks of post-deployment support before returning to families and units.
He added that families of fallen heroes were entitled to salaries, allowances and other benefits, while their children were supported through university education.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund, Mohamed Shaidou, said the Federal Government was addressing longstanding challenges in police funding, training, equipment and welfare.
Shaidou said the police had suffered years of underfunding, making it difficult for the force to maintain internal security.
He said the government approved about N100 billion for rehabilitation of police training institutions, while the Trust Fund was investing in continuous training, police stations, operational vehicles, bulletproof vests and other equipment.
He disclosed that the Trust Fund was working towards providing 1,000 housing units per state for police officers, with groundbreaking already done for about 250 units in Nasarawa State.
Shaidou said the Fund was also working with the Rural Electrification Agency to provide electricity for housing projects and police facilities, and had introduced welfare buses to convey officers in Abuja from Mararaba, Zuba and other communities to duty posts.
On state police, he said the Trust Fund supported the initiative but stressed the need to strengthen the existing federal police structure.
Earlier, participants raised concerns about protection of informants. Musa said protection of informants was important and encouraged Nigerians to continue providing credible intelligence.
He said the Defence Ministry was working towards establishing an emergency reporting line to facilitate transmission of security information.
Musa urged Nigerians to promote national unity, saying security success should be measured by farmers returning to farms, travellers moving safely on highways, markets reopening and businesses operating without fear.
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