Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (Rtd), has said the Nigerian military should begin to reassess its role in internal security, stressing that policing remains the constitutional responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Irabor reacted to President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the planned recruitment of 28,000 soldiers as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

While welcoming the move, he said the military’s continued involvement in internal security reflects gaps in policing that should be addressed over time.

“The police remains a primary organ for internal security, both law enforcement and even for internal security. What the military has been doing over the years is more or less supplementary to what the police is expected to do,” he said.

Irabor noted that years of inadequate attention to the police had compelled the military to take on responsibilities beyond its primary mandate.

“I know that over the years, we have had diminishing attention to the police. To a large extent, the various gaps that have existed have now made the military to come to close up the gap.”

He added, “I believe that time has come for the military to begin to re-evaluate their involvement in internal security.”

The retired army general said such a transition would depend on the police being adequately equipped to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.

“Of course, they can’t do that without the primary organ, which is the police, being able to effectively take off the mantle of effective policing of the country.”

He explained that the armed forces would still be available to support civil authorities when necessary, in line with the Constitution.

“Should we have any reason to have military interventions in terms of threats that will require military intervention, the military has been properly prepared in terms of force posture to be able to respond to some of those agencies.”

He added, “Even in the line of police undertaking their mandate effectively, there are also gaps. Then, of course, at that time, the military, in line with the constitutional provisions, they can be called upon to assist the police.”

Irabor also expressed confidence that the Federal Government would eventually extend attention to other security services beyond the Army.

“I believe that the commander-in-chief did not lose sight of the fact that other agencies require attention.” (Arise News)