This study examines how Civil–Military Relations (CMR) shape Internal Security Management (ISM) in Plateau State, Nigeria. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach that includes survey data, key informant interviews and focus group discussions, this paper identifies trust, intelligence flow, professionalism, political neutrality and local security integration as core variables influencing ISM performance. Primary evidence from field interviews and secondary literature on OPSH, commissions of inquiry and community security initiatives are used to underpin the analysis. The findings show that widespread distrust, reactive communication practices and perceptions of impunity undermine intelligence-sharing and make military deployments largely reactive rather than preventive. The paper concluded that partnership in CMR enhances ISM better than use of force and recommended a conceptual framework to guide policy formulation. This is presented as: Trust → Intelligence → CMR → ISM Outcomes which offers policy prescriptions to institutionalize dialogue, strengthen accountability and integrate local security actors to enhance ISM.