AS part of efforts in combating the criminal activities of bandits, terrorists and other armed militia, the federal government of Nigeria through the Nigerian army recently announced the suspension of all statutory and voluntary retirements for certain categories of officers. This is a follow-up to the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu. The policy aims to ensure that retired but not tired Nigerian army personnel are retained in service to complement the efforts of the younger generation of officers in fighting insurgency in the country.
According to the Chief of Army Staff, the suspension of retirements was to retain manpower, experience, and operational capacity as the Armed Forces expand in response to rising insecurity. He further stated that the officers to benefit from this service extension include; officers who failed promotion examinations three times; officers who passed over three times at promotion boards; officers who have reached the age ceiling for their ranks; officers who failed conversion boards three times; and officers who have attained 35 years of service.
The army command headquarters made it clear that officers in these categories who are not interested in extension of service are to continue with the normal retirement procedure while those interested in it should note that, they are not eligible for career progression; including promotion, career courses, NA sponsorship, self-sponsored courses, secondment or extra-regimental appointments.
Though the move has received the blessing of many retired army generals, it falls short of being inspiring for intending officers. The drastic reduction of the basic benefits hitherto enjoyed by this category of military defenders has reduced their new roles to that akin to casual labourers. This is especially so when it was not stated that they would enjoy their retirement emoluments simultaneously. It will be unfair for an officer with an ambition to become a consultant in an area where he had made great impact professionally to now succumb to being treated as a non-skilled fellow.
It is an error for the army chief to skip the addition of inspiring benefits for willing personnel. Since the arrangement is temporary, a non-permanent salary structure also deserve to be created for them. This will encourage able-bodied and willing officers to look forward to days when this kind of opportunity will come their way in respect of their service to their fatherland – an act that many unpatriotic citizens have jettisoned in preference for “japaism” in advance.
The men and women to be considered for this crucial national assignment should not be restricted to the the military. Security service organisations such as the Nigeria police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, the State Security Services, and other arms of the military should be added to the list of the new found experts in security matters in the country.
Beyond the conventional security outfits, paramilitary and voluntary uniform organizations such as the National Guard, Man o’ War Nigeria, Scout Association of Nigeria, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, etc that are geared towards assisting and complimenting the efforts of security agencies must be repositioned to do more in their chosen security roles.
The Nigerian National Guard must take queue from the National Guard of the United States of America where citizens are conscripted into in times of serious security challenges. This entails a situation where the military authorities are ever ready to offer relevant combat trainings for this group of anti-crime officers. Like in the US, concession should only be granted to those who are ‘only child’ of a parent. They must also be equipped with all that are necessary for them to function effectively.
Individuals and organisations that choose to offer assistance to security agencies should be given incentives that are worthy enough to inspire them to do more. And this can be in form of tax rebates, tax exemptions and so on.
There should be a holistic upward review of the remunerations of serving security personnel and those intending to enlist into the service extension guard. Apart from salaries and allowances, these people should be entitled to government-sponsored life insurance policies as well as quality health care system for self and family.
Since it has generally been agreed that security is everyone’s business, Nigerians at their youthful ages should be introduced to security practices by including such in schools’ curricula at all levels.
With the 2026 national budget indicating federal government’s intentions to handle insecurity with the desired financial strength, it behooves the managers of the fund to be prudent and focused on their spending, ensuring that scientific security equipment and methods are deployed henceforth in fighting insurgencies.
Nigerian borders with neighbouring countries must begin to receive unusual attentions necessary to checkmate ‘imported’ criminals.
On the final analysis, unless these and other neglected additions are captured in the new approach to the security war, the desired results may be elusive. America has given incentives to illegal migrants that are willing to leave the country voluntarily. Same gesture can be emulated and applied by Nigeria.
