Too Much Visibility of Military in Internal Security Not Good for Democracy, Ex-IG, Ehindero Warns

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, has expressed strong reservations over the persistent deployment of the military in internal security operations, explaining that excessive visibility of military personnel is unhealthy for democracy.

He advised the federal government to restrict the military to its statutory mandate of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.

He further recommended that the military be deployed to secure the nation’s porous borders in order to prevent transnational criminal elements from entering the country through land borders.

While commending President Bola Tinubu for the recent changes in service chiefs, the appointment of a new Minister of Defence, and the nomination of ambassadors, Ehindaro called for a total recalibration of the nation’s security architecture.

Speaking at the unveiling of two biographies of former Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, titled: ‘Giant Footprints and A Policeman Personified,’ Ehindero said: “I would say, lastly, that the security architecture of this country needs to be recalibrated. With apologies to the military that is here, too much military visibility in a democracy is not good.

“We should praise them for the work they are doing. They are doing a marvellous job. It is not their fault. They should concentrate more on our borders to prevent these miscreants from coming into the country.

“And that is what our Constitution says: territorial integrity must be maintained and protected.”

He added, “The recent steps taken by the government are not only opinion-oriented but indicate that the government is a listening one.

“I refer to the recent change in service chiefs, the appointment of ambassadors, and the intended recruitment of 30,000 policemen and 20,000 military personnel.

“Even though I regret that no policeman was mentioned as an ambassador, retired or serving. I remember that AIG Abubakar from Gombe served as an ambassador.

“For the last 30 years of my life, I have been against the establishment of State Police. I said we were not ready. However, this time, when I saw the deal for this establishment, with checks and balances on the powers of governors, I embraced it.”

Earlier, the immediate past Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, applauded President Bola Tinubu for ordering the withdrawal of police officers attached to undeserving personalities.

He said: “I am profoundly grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his consistent action directed at restoring the dwindling police primacy in the internal security architecture.

“The recent Presidential Order again made this manifest on the withdrawal of police personnel attached to undeserving personalities.

“As far as my memory serves me, this is the first time that such an order will emanate directly from a sitting president. We tried to do it as IGs, but we could not make it happen. Let us see how this one will work.”

Speaking about the books, the ex-IG said that documenting his life trajectory could inspire others to fulfill their destinies.

“I appreciated that my privileged experience at the apex of force leadership could spark strategic actors within the internal security space,” he added.

In his welcome remarks, the author of Giant Footprints, Joseph Saater Undu, said that during his tenure as IG, Alkali emplaced enduring, well-thought-out policing strategies and made significant strides toward restoring police primacy within the country’s internal security architecture.