Do you know the number of security agencies in Nigeria? Well, we know you can at least mention 1 or 2. It is the responsibility of security organizations to keep those they have been assigned to safe. For every security agency, there are specific responsibilities, training, and criteria used to ascertain their effectiveness.

9 Major Security Agencies in Nigeria

In this article, we going to be highlighting the 9 major security agencies in Nigeria, as a reader, you will understand better the jobs of some security agencies that hardly get a mention in the media. Here are the major security agencies we have in Nigeria.

Department of State Services (DSS)

The DSS is a secret security agency saddled with the responsibilities of national intelligence, federal and state law enforcement, and protecting senior government officials, including the Nigerian president.

The mission of the SSS is to protect and defend the Federal Republic of Nigeria against domestic threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of Nigeria, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to both federal and state law-enforcement organs.

National Intelligence Agency (NIA)

The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is a Nigerian government division tasked with overseeing foreign intelligence and counterintelligence operations. The main responsibilities of the NIA are counterintelligence and foreign intelligence collection operations. The NIA focuses on external threats to Nigerian national interests.

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)

The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), is the primary military intelligence agency of Nigeria. The DIA was established in 1986 to provide an efficient system of obtaining military intelligence for the Nigerian Armed Forces and Ministry of Defense. The DIA promotes Nigeria’s Defense Policy, enhances military cooperation with other countries, protects the lives of Nigerian citizens, and maintains the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

Armed forces (comprising the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force)

The Armed force is the combined military, naval, and air forces of a nation. A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct military uniforms. It may consist of one or more military branches such as an army, navy, air force, space force, marines, or coast guard.

The main task of the military is usually defined as the defense of the state and its interests against external armed threats.

Nigeria Police Force (NPF)

The Nigeria Police Force is the principal law enforcement and the lead security agency in Nigeria. Designated by the 1999 constitution as the national police of Nigeria with exclusive jurisdiction throughout the country.

The Nigeria Police Force performs important duties such as crime prevention, crime investigation, road traffic control, election security duties, controlling and quelling civil unrest, military duties, VIP protection services, and sundry.

Nigeria Customs Service

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is an independent customs service under the supervisory oversight of the Nigerian Ministry of Finance, responsible for the collection of customs revenue, Facilitation of both national and international trade, anti-smuggling, and security activities.

Nigeria Customs Service includes, but is not limited to the following: Collection of Revenue (Import/Excise Duties & other Taxes /Levies) and accounting for same. Anti-Smuggling activities. Security functions.

They also intercept contraband such as illegal drugs and weapons. Check travelers and their baggage, cargo, and mail; assess and collect Customs duties and other taxes on Goods and Services.

Nigerian Correctional Service

The Nigerian Correction Service is statutorily expected to take into lawful custody all those duly certified to be so kept by courts of competent jurisdiction, Produce suspects and other prisoners in courts as and when due, Identify the causes of their anti-social disposition, set in motion mechanisms for their training and reform, to return them to the society as law-abiding citizens at discharge and administer Prisons Farms and Industries for this purpose and in the process generate revenue for the government.

Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC)

The NSCDC was first introduced in May 1967 during the Nigerian Civil War within the then Federal Capital Territory of Lagos for sensitization and protection of the civil populace.

Today, their primary function is to protect lives and properties in conjunction with Nigerian police. One of the crucial functions of the Corps is to protect pipelines from vandalism. The agency is also involved in crisis resolutions.

Nigeria Immigration Service.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is a governmental organization responsible for border security and migration management in Nigeria.

the Service is responsible for:

The control of persons entering or leaving Nigeria

The issuance of travel documents, including Nigerian passports, to bonafide Nigerians within and outside Nigeria

The issuance of residence permits to foreigners in Nigeria

Border surveillance and patrol

Enforcement of laws and regulations with which they are directly charged; and

The performance of such para-military duties within or outside Nigeria as may be required of them under the authority of this Act or any other enactment.

Conclusion

A good collaborative effort of security agencies in Nigeria would ensure a much safer place for its citizens and visiting foreigners to live. None of the listed security agencies is less important and as mentioned, all have specific responsibilities.

On a personal note, the best you can do to keep yourself safe is inform or report any suspect movement of people in your neighborhood to a relevant security agency, good security intelligence is critical if you want your home and offices to be safe.