acts of national assembly

Government security agencies are state security institutions established to carry out public security functions. They are charged with responsibility of ensuring public laws and orders, maintain peace and security. To enforce public rules and regulations in the best interest of the public, and to promote human right of the citizenry. This is an all-important responsibility of government. Accordingly, the primary responsibility of any government is the safety and security of her people. The origin of modern state characterized by social contract which emphasized freedom and equality; also, implicitly underscored that civil state must provide safety and security to the populace to guarantee its continued relevance and avoid relapse to state of nature. To meet this demand, government must create, fund, and manage various (as deemed necessary per time) agencies to secure the sovereignty and internal concerns of the state. Nigeria has laudably taken bold steps and created for public law and order, various institutions, agencies and bodies for safety and security of the people. In the land, in the water bodies, in the airspace and other internal concerns relevance to security; the government have them covered. See below, highlight of the agencies and their areas of responsibilities. While some of them are core security agencies, others are quasi-agencies playing complimentary role for public law and order. Some others are playing roles that include collection of revenue for the government. Nigeria Police Force – NPF: is the principal law enforcement agency in the country. Its main responsibilities include preserving law and order, prevention and detection of crime, apprehension of offenders, protection of lives and properties amongst others. Its origin dates back from 1861 to 1930 when it became the national Police Force. Nigerian Army – NA: is the land-based Nigerian Armed Force charged with the responsibilities of preserving the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country and protect it from all forms external aggression and internal insurrection amongst others. Its origin dates back to 1800s from West African Frontier Force (WAFF). Nigerian Navy – NN: also, a member of the Nigerian Armed Force has security responsibilities which include protecting the country from water front against external aggression and internal insurrection. Its origin dates back to 1956. Nigerian Air Force – NAF: is the air wing of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Its origin was from 1962. Its main duties include to provide air support to ground and sea Nigerian military, and preserve the territorial integrity of the country. Nigerian Customs Service – NCS: was established from 1922. Its duties include collecting and accounting for customs duties and excise, administration of trade and fiscal policies of government, and promoting trade facilitation. Nigerian Immigration Service – NIS: is charged with the responsibility of migration management. it originated from Nigeria Police Force in 1958. Federal Road Safety Corp – FRSC: was founded in 1988. Its duties include preventing accidents on highways, clearing obstruction (unsafe condition) on highways, designing and producing national driver license and vehicle plat numbers. State Security Service – SSS: also, known as Department of State Security (DSS) was part of former National Security Organization which was unbundled in 1986. Its main duties include prevention and detection of crime against the internal security of Nigeria, protection and preservation of all non-military classified matters concerning the internal security of Nigeria. Nigerian Intelligence Agency – NIA: was previously part of former National security Organization, unbundled in 1986. Its responsibilities include general security of Nigeria with focus on outside Nigeria. Defense Intelligence Agency – DIA: had its origin from former National Security Organization which was unbundled in 1986. Its main duties include prevention and detection of crime of military nature against Nigeria, protection and preservation of all military classified matters. Nigerian Correctional Service – NCoS: established in 1872, their functions include to take inmates into lawful custody, produce same in court when it is required, initiate training and reform for inmates, administer prison farms & industry. Nigerian Security & Civil Defense Corp: origin dates back from 1970 to 2003. Their main duties include to assist in maintenance of peace and order, safeguard national infrastructure, respond and rescue civil populace during national emergency, certify, approve and supervise private security guard companies. Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit – NFIU: was established in 2004 under Central Bank of Nigeria. Its mandate is to work with, and provide credible intelligence to law enforcement and other regulatory agencies in the fight against money laundry and other related crimes. National Drug Law Enforcement Agency – NDLEA: was created in 1989. It is in charge of drug policy and control in Nigeria. Economic and Financial Crime Commission – EFCC: was created in 20024. The main duties include investigation of financial crimes, money laundry, contract scam, advance fee fraud, enforcement of all economic and financial crime laws in Nigeria, and prosecution of offenders. Nigerian Quarantine and Agricultural Service – NAQS: is an agency under the ministry of agriculture and food security. It is responsible for the prevention, entry and establishment and spread of foreign pests and diseases of plants and animals in the country. National Agency for the Prohibition and Trafficking in Person – NAPTIP: was created in 2003. It has mission to protect all persons against human trafficking. Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission – ICPC: was established in year 2000 to fight corruption, receive complaints about corruption, investigate and prosecute offenders. Note, that all government security agencies described above were duly and lawfully established by Acts of National Assembly. Their powers and authorities were derived from these Acts, as such they operate as legal entity for government law enforcement. ALSO READ: YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA