Former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede, has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to involve retired military personnel in tackling the ongoing threats posed by bandits and Boko Haram.
Speaking in Abuja during the 21st anniversary celebration of Peace Building Development Consult, which featured a book launch and awards ceremony, Babandede highlighted the wealth of experience among retired officers, many of whom left the service in their 50s despite having received extensive training funded by the government.
“Government invests heavily in training these officers, only for them to retire early and remain underutilized,” he said.
“We must establish think tanks within our institutions to leverage their expertise.”
He pointed out that several experienced officers exited the service after junior colleagues were promoted above them, resulting in a loss of valuable human resources that could aid the fight against insecurity.
Babandede also criticized the use of religion and ethnicity in politics, warning that such divisions hinder national unity.
He recalled a time when Nigerians coexisted peacefully regardless of tribe or faith, and urged leaders to stop exploiting identity for political gain.
“Let it be a crime to mobilize support based on religion or ethnicity,” he said.
“No one suffers or enjoys life because of their tribe or faith—this is about human dignity.
If we stop these divisive tactics, Nigeria will be a better place.”