Military and private security operatives in Nigeria have expressed readiness to support the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies tackle the security challenges bedeviling the country through the provision of credible intelligence, but regret the lack of collaboration with other actors.

Mr. Chris Adigwu, Secretary General, Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), noted that there are over 1.5 million private security operatives in every nook and crannies of the country, but regrets that the sector is neglected by relevant stakeholders and underutilised.

While noting that intelligence gathering has been one of the issues in addressing security challenges in Nigeria, Adigwu said private security operatives will be highly instrumental as they can leverage on their wide reach and personnel strength to gather credible intel that would help the Nigerian government surmount its biggest challenge of security.

The Secretary General said this at Private Security Governance (PSG) Forum for North-Central Zone organised by AFRILAW in partnership with Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance in Abuja.

“Most organisations, homes, estates have private security. So, what other way to gather intelligence other than through Private Security Companies? We need better collaboration with other state actors,” he said.

He added: “Our sector employs over 1.5 million operatives and our personnel cut across the 36 states of the Federation. We are present in every LGA in Nigeria, the other agencies need us in terms of intelligence gathering.”

Adigwu also informed that Security outfits under its association are well profiled by DSS, Regulated by NSCDC and license issued by Minister of Interior

He said the initiative by AFRILAW provides an opportunity for different Stakeholders in the sector to rub minds together and proffer solutions to Security challenges in the country.

The Founder and CEO of African Law Foundation (AFRILAW), Mr. Chinwike Okereke, stated that the current Security Challenges in Nigeria has overwhelmed the Nigeria security agents.

He said the aim of the event is to create awareness among the stakeholders to make them understand the situations and opportunities in the sector and also to draw up more support from Stakeholders towards the building strengthening the sector.

Okereke said the Nigerian security sector needs improvement with Nigeria being at cross roads security wise with every region of the country suffering and experiencing one security challenge or the other. This, he said, results in The Security agents being overwhelmed and overstretched by the challenge with issues of poor funding down to low welfare capacity among others.

He further stated that the private security organisation has so much to contribute to improve or compliment the efforts of the security agencies. To this end, Okereke called on the Federal government to pay more attention to the sector, saying: “The sector needs restructuring and repositioning to be able to contribute towards improving Security in the country.”

Speaking, the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NCDC), Abdullahi Gana Mohammed, outlined the considerations in maintaining standard of operation of private security organisations in the country.

Mohammed listed the standards to include: Pre-registration, Registration, Post-registration, recruitment of staff, training, contract of engagement, wages, kits, office accommodation, client/Business hunting and terminal benefits.

The Chairman of the occasion, Barr Folarin Aluko, a legal practitioner and immediate past Chairman Nigeria Bar Association Abuja Branch, said the event was timely due to the present security challenges the nation is currently facing.

Aluko harped on the need for synergy among the different security agencies, noting that security is central to development as there will not be any tangible development when a nation is in crisis.

He urged the Nigerian security agencies to take the lessons from the aftermath of COVID-19 seriously to avoid future occurrence for a stronger and more secured Nigeria.

Other highlights of the event were goodwill messages from National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Judicial Institute (NJI), and National Police Force.

Photo: Participants at the Private Security Governance (PSG) Forum for North-Central Zone organised by AFRILAW in partnership with Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance in Abuja.

•PHOTO: Participants at the Private Security Governance (PSG) Forum for North-Central Zone organised by AFRILAW in partnership with Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance in Abuja

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