The Federal Government has announced a plan to engage retired military personnel in efforts to secure Nigeria’s ungoverned areas, as part of a broader strategy to boost national security and stimulate economic activities in conflict-prone regions.

The move followed the inauguration of an 18-member committee by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), with a mandate to reclaim ungoverned spaces for economic use and to reposition the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Information, Enderline Chukwu, on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations, disclosed that the committee was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja. The minister was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwa.

The committee comprises representatives from the Joint Services Department of the ministry, the Nigerian Legion, Defence Headquarters, the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the offices of the Ministers of Defence and State for Defence.

The decision came at a time when there had been increasing calls for the integration of retired military personnel into Nigeria’s security structure to reduce the burden on overstretched serving officers deployed nationwide.

Addressing the gathering, Musa explained that deploying veterans into ungoverned spaces would support ongoing military operations by injecting experienced hands into local security and development initiatives, especially in communities where government presence is weak.

He noted that the policy signals a shift from heavy dependence on military force alone to a more inclusive and sustainable security framework that addresses the socio-economic roots of insecurity.

“The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd) 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 Minister read out the three terms of reference of the committee to include: (1) To reposition the veteran community to support national economic development. (2) To deploy veterans to secure Ungoverned Spaces and ensure that the areas are brought under effective oversight and development.

“(3) To reposition the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires, strengthen operational effectiveness, facilitate veterans’ reintegration and promote their contribution to national security.”

Musa stressed that the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that veterans who served the nation with distinction are supported to live productive post-retirement lives, while still contributing meaningfully 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 said.

He urged committee members to be innovative and forward-thinking, and to come up with practical recommendations that would support a comprehensive strategy for securing ungoverned spaces, promoting inclusive growth and sustaining peace, “he added.

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