By Egufe Yafugborhi

ASABA — A proposition before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is pushing for integration of vetted private security companies into Nigeria’s intelligence-sharing system to strengthen the fight against kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and other organized crimes.

In a letter signed by tech expert, Akpofure Ogaga, the call urges the President to establish a National Security Partnership Portal as a structured channel for approved private security professionals and innovators to share timely, actionable intelligence with security agencies.

Ogaga argues that leveraging private-sector reach and local knowledge can significantly boost crime prevention, intelligence gathering, surveillance, and emergency response at the community and facility levels.

According to him, the portal would provide, “Verification and credentialing of private security applicants, secure and lawful protocols for two-way exchange of threat information, designated liaison channels connecting vetted actors directly to relevant agencies, and accountability mechanisms with clear rules of engagement to safeguard integrity.”

The model, he noted, mirrors frameworks already in use in the United States through the Overseas Security Advisory Council and in the United Kingdom, where government and private security bodies collaborate on threat intelligence.

He emphasized that full implementation of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, backed by Artificial Intelligence and modern technology, could “drastically reduce the incentives” for kidnapping, banditry, human trafficking, and terrorism by targeting criminals’ financial assets.

The proposal further recommended stronger community involvement and intelligence-sharing between residents and security agencies as complementary measures.

The letter also acknowledged the Federal Government’s ongoing economic and security reforms, and urged continued execution of existing policies with expanded private-sector collaboration.

“With effective execution, Nigeria can make significant gains in reducing insecurity and creating a safer environment for citizens, businesses, and investors,” Ogaga stated.