The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has said the armed forces will gradually withdraw from internal security operations as the Nigeria Police Force strengthens its capacity to handle security challenges across the country.

Musa made this known on Thursday at the APC Abuja Roundtable, where he acknowledged that the military had become excessively involved in duties traditionally assigned to the police.

He said the growing deployment of troops for internal security reflected declining public confidence in the police, noting that although the military could intervene when situations exceeded police capacity, its current level of involvement was unsustainable.

“If there are issues that are beyond the police, the military can come in. But the idea is, as you said, it is too much. We are too exposed,” he said.

The minister explained that the armed forces were supporting the police in building their operational capacity, adding that troops would gradually return to their barracks as the police became better equipped to handle internal security responsibilities.

“We’re assisting the police as they are building their capacity. Gradually, we too will start pulling out and going back to the barracks so that we can have time to rest,” he said.

Musa disclosed that he had just attended a meeting with security officials, including the Inspector-General of Police, to assess the country’s security challenges and identify ways to strengthen police operations.

“We’re looking at how we can enhance the police, because my men are tired. I can tell you for free,” he said.

He added that the police were undertaking additional recruitment, expressing optimism that improved manpower and operational capacity would reduce the need for military involvement in routine internal security duties.

“We feel if they get these things right, there’s no need for the military,” he added.

The defence minister also highlighted the strain repeated deployments had placed on military personnel, saying some troops spent years away from their families while moving between troubled regions.

“You will spend two years in one place, then you are moving to the northwest. Sometimes you don’t even see your family. It’s not like they’re enjoying it, but there’s a necessity that we have to be there,” he said.

On measures to strengthen national security beyond military operations, Musa criticised the abolition of tollgates, describing them as important security infrastructure used in other countries.

“I think we made a mistake destroying our toll gates. Tollgates are security measures in place anywhere in the world,” he said.

He also called for improvements in identity registration and national data management, stressing the importance of knowing and properly documenting people within the country.