Security Agencies in Nigeria and their Major Roles

Nigeria’s security agencies are set up by the federal government of Nigeria to enable them to maintain peace, protect the countries borders, conduct intelligent activities with and outside the nation.

Most of these security Agencies are set up to help the country reduce the rate of crime within and outside its territories. 

The increase in the rate of Crime in Nigeria is one of the reasons the federal government has set up so many security Agencies at different levels that perform uniques roles to help them achieve peace in the country.

The activities of these Security Agencies in Nigeria are guided by the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. The constitution tells them how to go about their dealings every day.

List of Security Agencies in Nigeria

There are several lists of Government security agencies in Nigeria that perform different roles and functions. Below are some of them;

• Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
• Nigerian Armed Forces
• The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
• The State Security Service (SSS)
• The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
• Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA Nigeria)
• The Nigeria Immigration Service
• Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
• Nigeria Police Force
• National Intelligence Agency (NIA)

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is the Government Agency with statutory responsibilities for road safety administration in Nigeria.

FRSC was founded by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in February 1988. Currently, the Agency has its headquarter in Abuja.

The core responsibility of this agency is to assist the FGN in the reduction of the accident rates on Nigeria roads. The agency creates a policy that governs the safe use of Nigeria roads.

Nigerian Armed Forces

The Nigerian Armed Forces are made up of all Armed forces in Nigeria.

Do you know that the Agency has been in operation before 1960 as Royal West African Frontier Force? The operation of the Royal West African Frontier Force ended in 1960 when Nigeria gained her independence.

The Nigeria Armed Force is divided into three (3) namely;

• Nigeria Navy – The branch of the Nigerian Armed Force secures the country’s water body. They are in charge of protecting all Nigeria waters against invaders.

• Nigeria Air Force – The branch of the Nigerian Armed Force secures the country’s air. The Nigeria Air force complemented by other forces.

• Nigeria Army – The Nigeria Army is the land division of the Nigerian Armed Force.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

This Federal agency in Nigeria is charged with eliminating the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting, and trafficking of hard drugs.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) agency was founded in 1990 under Decree Number 48 of 1989.

Also, The agency has its headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.

The State Security Service (SSS)

The State Security Service (SSS) which is also known as the Department of State Services is the principal security agency in Nigeria.

The Agency performs the following functions below;

• To Enforce Criminal law when needful
• Defend the nation against external domestics threats or attack
• To secure and protect top government officials and their families.

This Agency was founded on 5 June 1986 and has its headquarters located in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)

The Nigeria Customs Service is an independent Security Agencies in Nigeria that helps the federal government of Nigeria to checkmate the collection of custom duties and mitigate against smuggling at Nigeria borders.

The NCS is charged with the responsibility of tackling anti-smuggling around Nigeria borders.

Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA Nigeria)

The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) is the primary military intelligence agency of Nigeria. In 1986 the Agency was established to provide an efficient way of obtaining military intelligence for the Nigeria Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence.

Nigeria Immigration Service

The Nigeria Immigration Service is charged with the responsibility of monitoring the entrance and exist of individuals within and outside the country.

This Agency helps the country to monitor the migration process in the country. The NIS is also in charge of issue of passport, renewal of passport, issue of residence permit to foreigners, border surveillance, and termination of Passport.

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is a paramilitary institution in Nigeria. NSCDC was established in May 1967 by the Nigerian Government, with the act of the National Assembly. The act was amended in 2007, to enhance the statutory duties of the corp.

The Agency provides measures to counter the threats and any form of attack or disaster against the country and its citizens at large.

Also, the Agency provides these key roles;

• Resolution of Crisis
• Protect the pipelines from Vandalizers
• Protect lives and properties from communal clashes together with the Nigeria Police force (NPF)

Nigeria Police Force

The Nigeria Police Force is another top Nigeria security agency that acts as the principal law enforcement agency.

They make sure the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are adhered to. Also, offenders are arrested and brought to book by this agency.