By Etop Ekanem

The management of Proton Security Services Limited has called on the Federal Government to leverage the recent withdrawal of Nigeria Police personnel from VIP protection duties as an opportunity to strengthen the nation’s security architecture through the structured empowerment of licensed private security firms.

Reacting to the directive, Managing Director of Proton Security Services, Mr. Adekunmi Odebunmi, described the policy as a critical turning point in Nigeria’s internal security strategy, noting that almost 2,000 private security companies, duly licensed and regulated by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), are strategically positioned to complement public security agencies in safeguarding lives, property, logistics chain and critical assets nationwide.

Odebunmi emphasized that the private security sector already employs tens of thousands of Nigerians, making it a vital contributor to public safety, employment generation, and economic stability. He stated that a more deliberate and institutionalized integration of private security personnel would enable the efficient deployment of trained operatives across residential communities, corporate institutions, industrial zones, and VIP environments, where security demands continue to intensify.

He further referenced the Private Guard Companies Act (Cap P30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004), which provides for the registration, regulation and oversight of private guard companies by the NSCDC. According to him, this legal framework offers the Federal Government a credible and accountable basis upon which to grant licensed private security firms clearer institutional recognition, defined operational responsibilities, and appropriate authority.

Industry data indicate that Nigeria’s private security sector employs over 250,000 personnel nationwide, positioning it as one of the largest non-state security workforce in Africa. Proton Security noted that this substantial manpower capacity can play a critical role in bridging protection gaps in high-risk and high-demand environments where public security resources are increasingly overstretched.

On the issue of arms-bearing, Mr. Odebunmi advocated for the establishment of a tightly regulated national framework that would permit duly licensed private security operatives with military experience to carry arms strictly for defensive purposes. He stressed that such authorization must be subject to rigorous training standards, centralized oversight, and clearly defined rules of engagement. He cited jurisdictions such as South Africa, the United States, and the United Kingdom, where licensed private security firms operate as armed support units in structured collaboration with state security agencies. “Nigeria’s private security sector has evolved significantly in capacity, discipline, and professionalism. Allowing qualified firms to bear arms within a strict regulatory framework will enhance VIP protection and strengthen the nation’s overall security architecture,” he stated.

Beyond manpower deployment, Proton Security highlighted the sector’s increasing investment in advanced security technologies, including surveillance systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), access control solutions, and AI-enabled monitoring tools designed to address emerging security threats. Expanding the operational scope of licensed private security firms, the company noted, would further promote job creation, support youth employment, boost investor confidence, and reinforce public trust in Nigeria’s collective security framework.

Commending the Federal Government for its commitment to national security reforms, Mr. Odebunmi concluded:

“This directive represents a decisive step toward reshaping Nigeria’s security landscape. By formally recognizing, regulating, and empowering licensed private security firms, the government will be laying a strong foundation for a safer, more resilient, and secure nation.”