Former Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai Advocates for Robust Police Expansion to Reclaim Primary Role in Internal Security

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has called for a significant overhaul of Nigeria’s internal security framework, urging the Federal Government to prioritize an expanded and better-equipped Nigeria Police Force. Speaking in Abuja during a symposium for the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, Buratai warned that the military’s prolonged involvement in domestic policing is unsustainable.

Buratai proposed an ambitious multi-year plan to increase the strength of the Nigeria Police to approximately 1.5 million officers. He argued that the current reliance on the Armed Forces for routine internal security duties across the 36 states has created a “cycle of dependency” that weakens the police and overstretches military resources. According to him, the military should return to its primary constitutional mandate of defending territorial integrity against external threats.

“Internal security should fundamentally be civil-led and intelligence-driven,” Buratai stated, emphasizing that a professionalized police force is the bedrock of long-term democratic stability. He further recommended the establishment of a National Defence Innovation Fund (NDIF) to drive technological advancements like cyber defense and unmanned aerial systems, which would support both civilian and military security tracks.

The former Ambassador to Benin Republic also highlighted the need to reform the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) into a mandatory service with military and civic tracks to foster national cohesion. By strengthening the police and integrating veteran expertise, Buratai believes Nigeria can build a more resilient security ecosystem that optimizes resources and safeguards the nation’s future.