Pat Stevens/
The Federal Government has set in motion what could become one of the most far-reaching reviews of Nigeria’s security structure in recent years, inaugurating an inter-ministerial committee to examine the proliferation and possible rationalisation of security and para-military agencies across the country.
The committee, inaugurated in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, is expected to scrutinise the growing number of federal, state and quasi-government security outfits, many of which have emerged in response to persistent security challenges but now operate in overlapping and, at times, unclear jurisdictions.
Officials say the exercise goes beyond a routine audit. It signals a policy shift towards streamlining the security architecture, with options on the table that include mergers, harmonisation, reclassification, or even the dissolution of certain agencies considered redundant or ineffective.
Represented at the inauguration by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, the SGF said the increasing number of security and auxiliary bodies has created operational inefficiencies, duplication of roles and coordination gaps.
These issues, he noted, have in some cases undermined the effectiveness of efforts to safeguard lives and property.
The committee has been tasked with compiling a comprehensive inventory of all security and para-military outfits, including auxiliary and specialised units, and assessing their legal mandates, operational relevance and areas of conflict or duplication.
It is also expected to evaluate the effectiveness of newer or less formalised outfits, many of which have sprung up at sub-national levels.
Analysts say the emphasis on rationalisation could have significant implications.
A consolidation of agencies may reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and improve intelligence sharing, but it could also trigger institutional resistance, particularly from bodies facing the prospect of restructuring or loss of autonomy.
Questions may also arise around the fate of personnel, funding reallocations and the legal adjustments required to implement any sweeping reforms.
The committee is further expected to review coordination mechanisms among existing agencies and recommend measures to strengthen accountability and align operations with national priorities and international best practices.
Its findings are likely to shape future policy decisions on how Nigeria organises and deploys its security resources.
Membership of the committee cuts across key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
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