The Federal Government will consider withdrawing troops from troubled regions in the country beginning from the first quarter of 2020.
This is to be carried out after an “assessment” to ascertain areas where peace has returned.
This is to enable civil authorities assume full control of security, a report by PUNCH said.
The decision was taken in a security council meeting which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.
The council decided that in place of the military, the Nigeria Police Force, which has the primary responsibility of providing internal security, will assume duties fully in such areas.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, who spoke with journalists on outcome of the meeting, explained that the withdrawal was to allow the military to focus on its primary duty of defending the nation against external aggression.
He said, “It is the work of the police to handle internal security since Nigeria is not at war.
“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps will support the police to provide internal security.”
