By Travel Radio Live – A Production Anchored by Tope Samuel
The National Debate on Retired Soldiers Rejoining the Fight
On Travel Radio Live, Brigadier General Adebola Matti (Rtd.) shared insights into Nigeria’s growing insecurity and the renewed call to deploy retired military personnel to combat terrorism and banditry. This conversation comes after a former Controller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede urged the government to recall veterans to the frontlines.
General Matti supported the call, citing veterans’ strategic experience and deep familiarity with Nigeria’s border terrain — over 4,000 kilometers bordering Benin, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, and the Gulf of Guinea.
“Experience isn’t sold in the market,”
he noted, stressing that veterans are reservoirs of tactical insight.
How Security Tensions Impact Travel and Tourism
For travelers and tourism operators in Nigeria, this debate strikes at the heart of regional mobility and safety. Over the past 15 years, insurgencies and armed banditry have destabilized road travel across northern and central Nigeria, deterring tourism and disrupting local economies.
General Matti’s remarks clarified that Nigeria’s security threats differ from traditional warfare.
“This is a new war concept. You don’t know where the enemy is coming from,”
he said. Unlike peacekeeping missions in Liberia or Sierra Leone, today’s enemies operate invisibly, blending into communities and eroding public trust — a reality that reshapes how tourism corridors are protected.
For international travelers and diaspora communities considering travel to Nigeria, this raises urgent questions about safety protocols, government readiness, and the role of veterans in restoring confidence in domestic and regional travel.
Read More: Security Alert: Nigeria VS Australia
Connecting Security Policy to Lived Travel Realities
From a travel policy standpoint, re-engaging military retirees could transform Nigeria’s tourism map. Retired officers, now embedded in their communities, have unique grassroots intelligence. Their return to service — even in non-combat roles like surveillance, training, or border monitoring — could lead to safer travel zones, renewed tourism routes, and better early warning systems.
However, General Matti cautioned that any reintegration plan must include a clear framework: medical screenings, role definitions, and welfare provisions. “This isn’t about throwing older men into battle,” he explained. “It’s about leveraging wisdom while respecting physical limits.”
The model mirrors Israel’s activation of military reserves during crises — proving that strategic redeployment can work, but only when rooted in structure and support.
For African nations battling rising insecurity, Nigeria’s approach may set a regional precedent, redefining how experience can counter extremism.
Read More: Nigeria’s Insecurity Crisis: A Threat to Travel, Economy, and Food Security–Okonjo-Iweala
Travelers, Tourists, and Policy Watchers Take Note
As Nigeria grapples with internal conflict, the future of travel, tourism, and cross-border mobility hinges on creative yet credible security interventions. Retired military officers may become unexpected heroes — not just in combat zones, but in reshaping the psychological safety of travel in West Africa.
Until then, travelers must weigh personal safety against the promise of a resilient, reimagined Nigeria — one where seasoned warriors help make the roads and skies safer once again.
