By MS Abubakar PhD,CAS, FICRPC
Introduction
The spectre of terrorism and banditry continues to cast a long shadow over Nigeria’s social and economic development. While the military and police remain the primary institutions tasked with securing the nation, the sheer scale and geographic spread of the threat have exposed the limits of a state‑centric security architecture. In many advanced democracies, registered private security companies (PSCs) operate as essential partners to the state, providing specialised capabilities, creating jobs, and acting as force multipliers. In Nigeria, however, PSCs are shackled by a maze of red‑tape and bureaucratic inertia that makes even the procurement of a modest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) feel like “passing through the eye of a needle.” This article argues that the Nigerian government must urgently rethink its approach, streamline regulations, and empower registered private security firms to contribute meaningfully to the national counter‑terrorism and counter‑banditry effort.
The Security Landscape: Why the State Alone Is Insufficient
Nigeria’s security challenges are multifaceted. Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA), operate in the northeast, while armed bandits roam the northwest and central states, kidnapping civilians for ransom and attacking villages with impunity. The military, despite its numerical strength, is stretched thin across a terrain of 923,768 km², much of it rugged and poorly mapped. Intelligence gaps, limited aerial surveillance, and a shortage of trained personnel hamper rapid response.
In this context, the private sector can fill critical capability gaps. Private security firms possess the agility to acquire and operate modern technology, such as drones, satellite‑based communications, and armoured vehicles, far more quickly than the public procurement cycle allows. By acting as a “force multiplier,” they can extend the reach of the state, free up regular troops for core combat operations, and provide early warning through continuous monitoring of vulnerable corridors.
The Current Regulatory Quagmire
Despite the obvious benefits, Nigerian PSCs face an array of obstacles that render them ineffective partners:
1. Import Licences and Customs Delays
– The process to import a UAV, a simple communications radio, or an armoured personnel carrier involves multiple approvals from the Ministry of Defence, the National Security Adviser’s Office (NSA), and the Nigerian Customs Service. In practice, paperwork can linger for months, and many licences are denied without clear justification.
2. Bureaucratic Fragmentation
– Responsibility for private security regulation is split among the Ministry of Interior, the Nigeria Police Force, and the NSA. This overlapping authority creates “jurisdiction limbo,” where a company must obtain separate clearances from each agency, each with its own set of forms and fees.
3. Lengthy Procurement Cycles
– Government tender processes are notoriously slow. Even when a PSC wins a contract, contract fulfilment is hampered by endless audits, price verification exercises, and post‑delivery inspections that can stretch beyond the operational window of the equipment.
4. Restrictions on Dual‑Use Technology – Drones and sophisticated communication equipment are classified as “dual‑use,” meaning they are subject to the same export controls as military hardware. This classification imposes stringent end‑user certificates and monitoring requirements that many small PSCs cannot meet.
The cumulative effect is that PSCs spend more time navigating paperwork than deploying assets, while terrorists and bandits exploit modern tools—such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) delivered by drones—to carry out attacks.
Lessons from Advanced Nations
In the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, and South Africa, private security firms are integral to national security strategies:
– United States
– The Department of Defense contracts private firms for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions using UAVs. The “Defense Innovation Initiative” encourages rapid acquisition of commercial off‑the‑shelf (COTS) technology, allowing companies to deliver capabilities within weeks rather than years.
– United Kingdom
– The Private Security Industry Act 2001 regulates PSCs but also creates a fast‑track licensing pathway for companies providing “critical infrastructure protection.” The government’s “National Cyber Security Strategy” leverages private cyber‑security firms to augment state cyber‑defence capabilities.
– Israel
– Private firms develop and operate unmanned systems that complement the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The “Homeland Security” ecosystem thrives on public‑private partnerships, with the government providing clear guidelines and streamlined export licences for defence‑related technology.
– South Africa
– The “Private Security Regulation Act” enables PSCs to obtain “Special Operations Licences” that permit the use of drones and other advanced equipment for anti‑poaching and border surveillance, directly supporting law‑enforcement agencies.
These models demonstrate that a well‑regulated, transparent partnership can enhance state capacity without compromising sovereignty or security.
How Empowered Private Security Can Transform Nigeria’s Counter‑Terrorism Effort
1. Enhanced Situational Awareness
– Drones equipped with night‑vision and thermal imaging can monitor remote highways, forest fringes, and border crossings, providing real‑time intelligence to the military and police.
2. Rapid Deployment of Resources
– Armoured vehicles owned by PSCs can be dispatched to rescue hostages or evacuate civilians in areas where government forces are delayed by terrain or security concerns.
3. Specialised Training and Capacity Building – Private firms often employ former military and police personnel who can conduct advanced training for local security units, thereby raising overall operational standards.
4. Job Creation and Economic Development
– A thriving private security sector can absorb thousands of youths, reducing the pool of potential recruits for criminal enterprises.
5. Cost Savings for the State
– Outsourcing non‑core functions such as logistics, maintenance of surveillance equipment, and community‑based intelligence gathering can reduce the financial burden on the defence budget.
6. Innovation Hub
– Private companies are more agile in adopting emerging technologies—artificial intelligence for pattern analysis, satellite imagery for predictive modelling, and encrypted communications—providing the state with cutting‑edge tools without the usual procurement lag.
Policy Recommendations
To unlock these benefits, the Nigerian government should undertake a comprehensive reform of the regulatory framework governing private security:
1. Establish a Single Window for Licensing
– Create an inter‑agency “National Private Security Authority” (NPSA) that consolidates import licences, operational permits, and compliance monitoring under one roof. This would eliminate duplicate paperwork and reduce processing time from months to weeks.
2. Fast‑Track UAV and Communications Equipment Approvals
– Develop a “Critical Security Equipment” list that includes drones under 25 kg, handheld radios, and small armoured vehicles. Items on this list would automatically receive expedited clearance upon submission of a security vetting report.
3. Introduce a “Public‑Private Partnership (PPP) Framework” for Security
– Model contracts on the US Defense Innovation Initiative, allowing PSCs to operate under “mission‑specific” agreements that specify deliverables, performance metrics, and security protocols, rather than traditional fixed‑price tenders.
4. Provide Tax Incentives and Grants for Local Manufacturing
– Encourage PSCs to assemble drones, communication kits, and armoured panels domestically by offering tax holidays, low‑interest loans, and matching grants for research and development.
5. Mandate Regular Joint Exercises
– Institutionalise annual “Nigeria Security Expo” simulations where PSCs, the military, and police conduct coordinated drills using shared platforms (e.g., a common drone control centre). This builds interoperability and trust.
6. Strengthen Oversight Without Stifling Innovation
– While streamlining approvals, maintain robust vetting of PSC personnel, mandatory reporting of missions, and independent audits to prevent misuse of equipment.
7. Create a “National Security Innovation Fund”
– Allocate a modest percentage of the defence budget (e.g., 0.5 %) to fund pilot projects proposed by PSCs, with clear milestones and the possibility of scaling successful initiatives.
The Moral Imperative: Unity Over Blame
The recent tragic execution of Brigadier General Musa Uba underscores a painful reality: Nigeria is under siege by ruthless terrorist groups that do not differentiate between uniformed soldiers and civilian contractors. In moments like these, the nation must rise above partisan finger‑pointing and ceaseless criticism of the military. The security apparatus is not a monolith; it is a tapestry of men and women in uniform, civil servants, and private actors—all of whom share the same goal: a safe, prosperous Nigeria.
The time for blame games is over. The time for decisive, collaborative action is now. By empowering registered private security companies, the government can harness the ingenuity, speed, and resources of the private sector, turning a fragmented response into a coordinated offensive against banditry and terrorism.
Conclusion
Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The continued marginalisation of private security firms not only squanders a valuable national asset but also cedes the technological high ground to those who would do the country harm. Streamlining regulations, creating a unified licensing framework, and incentivising innovation will enable PSCs to act as genuine force multipliers—extending the reach of the state, creating jobs, and fostering a culture of shared responsibility for national security.
If the Office of the National Security Adviser, together with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior, can embrace this paradigm shift, the nation will be better equipped to confront the scourge of terrorism and banditry. The stakes are high, but the potential rewards—peace, stability, and a thriving economy—are worth the effort.
Let us, as a nation, choose partnership over paralysis, and together build a safer Nigeria for all.
