Constant Military Deployment Weakens Police, Poses Democratic Risks – Security Analyst Warns

A Nigerian security expert, Ambassador Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, has cautioned that the repeated deployment of the Nigerian Armed Forces for internal security operations is gradually weakening the Nigeria Police Force and could pose serious long-term risks to democratic governance in the country.

Adamu, a retired Army Captain, shared his concerns during an exclusive interview while reacting to recent remarks made by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd). Buratai had warned that the continuous use of soldiers in internal security duties is undermining the effectiveness of the police and other civilian security agencies.

According to Adamu, the Nigerian Armed Forces were constitutionally established primarily for external defence and not for routine internal law enforcement responsibilities.

“The military was designed to protect the nation from external aggression, not to perform daily policing duties within communities,” he explained.

He noted that worsening insecurity across Nigeria—ranging from terrorism and banditry to mass abductions and communal clashes—has compelled the government to rely heavily on military personnel to handle situations traditionally managed by the police.

“In many parts of the country today, the first uniform citizens encounter is that of a soldier rather than a police officer. Activities such as checkpoints, patrols, raids, and even arrests, which are core police functions, are now commonly carried out by the military,” Adamu observed.

The security analyst stated that this increasing dependence on the armed forces reflects a growing vacuum caused by weak civilian security institutions.

He warned that this trend carries serious implications for the Nigeria Police Force, particularly in terms of professional growth and institutional capacity.

“When soldiers consistently take charge of internal security, the police lose opportunities to develop vital skills such as intelligence gathering, investigation, and community policing, which are essential in a democratic society,” he said.

Adamu added that prolonged sidelining of the police erodes both their operational confidence and public trust.

He also raised concerns about the potential impact on civil liberties and human rights, emphasizing that the military and police are trained for fundamentally different roles.

“Soldiers are trained for combat and neutralizing threats, while police officers are trained to arrest suspects, conduct investigations, and protect citizens’ rights. When these roles overlap, accountability becomes unclear and the risk of civilian rights violations increases,” he warned.

The retired officer clarified that the situation should not be blamed on the armed forces themselves.

“This is not the fault of the military. They are responding to national emergencies. The core issue lies in delayed police reforms and the persistent weakness of civilian security structures,” he stated.

While expressing concern, Adamu cautioned against an immediate withdrawal of soldiers from internal security operations, noting that such an action could worsen the security situation.

“Removing the military abruptly from the streets would create a dangerous security gap, given the current realities,” he said.

Instead, he advocated for comprehensive and urgent reforms within the police sector, including improved funding, modern equipment, enhanced training, and better welfare.

“Nigeria urgently needs intelligence-driven policing, community-based security strategies, and a clear operational framework where the military only supports civil authorities as a last option,” he stressed.

Adamu concluded by stating that although Nigeria is not currently a military-controlled state, sustained reliance on soldiers for internal security is unhealthy for democracy.

“If the police are properly reformed and empowered, the military will naturally return to its constitutional role. General Buratai’s remarks should be treated as a warning, and Nigeria must take decisive action,” he said.