Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The federal government has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to review the proliferation and rationalization of all existing federal, state, and quasi-government security and para-military agencies, including auxiliary and specialised outfits operating across the country.
The inter-ministerial committee was inaugurated yesterday in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Sen. George Akume.
Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (GSO), Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, stated the initiative was part of ongoing efforts to streamline Nigeria’s security architecture and curb the growing trend of unaccredited quasi-security outfits.
He added that the move equally underlined government’s commitment to promoting efficiency, accountability, and improved coordination among agencies responsible for safeguarding lives and properties.
He said the inauguration was borne out of concern over the arbitrary increase in the number of security and auxiliary agencies, with resultant challenges related to duplication of roles, jurisdictional overlaps, and inefficiencies in operations.
He added that the report of the IMC will serve as a framework to guide the federal government to take informed decisions in streamlining the auxiliary security agencies in the country.
The committee is expected to do an inventory of all security and para-military outfits at federal, state, and quasi-government levels; examine their legal and operational mandates; and assess areas of overlap or conflict.
It will also evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of emerging security outfits, review coordination mechanisms among agencies, and propose reforms aimed at enhancing accountability and reducing operational redundancies.
Another mandate of the committee to be chaired by the SGF is to undertake a thorough review of existing frameworks, identify gaps, and recommend measures to ensure a more coherent and effective security system.
Its work will also focus on aligning the operations of security and para-military agencies with national priorities and international best practises.
They will also recommend appropriate policy, legal and institutional measures for streamlining security agencies, including options for merger, harmonization, reclassification, or dissolution where necessary.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee membership is drawn from: the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS); Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Police Affairs; Ministry of Interior; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The Committee is expected to submit a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations to government within an approved timeframe.
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