The House of Representatives has held a public hearing on the Bill for an Act to Establish the Private Intelligence and Investigation Council, a move to strengthen NIgeria’s security and intelligence,
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Tajudeen Abbas while declaring open the Hearing organised by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, said that the event marks another vital step in our collective effort to strengthen the nation’s security architecture. He said it also to institutionalize standards that will promote professionalism and accountability in the private intelligence and investigation sector.
Mr Abbas said that “the 10th House of Representatives remains firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in all its legislative engagements.
“We believe that the quality of governance and lawmaking improves when citizens, experts, and stakeholders are actively involved in the process. It is for this reason that the House continues to encourage open and participatory engagements such as this, ensuring that every legislative action reflects the collective wisdom and aspirations of the people we serve.”
“The rationale for today’s public hearing is clear and timely. The Bill before this Committee seeks to develop a regulatory framework for overseeing private intelligence and investigation firms, ensuring that they operate ethically, responsibly, and within established professional standards. It aims to implement uniform practices that will raise service quality and promote best industry standards. The Bill also provides for continuous training and capacity development to enable professionals in this sector to respond effectively to emerging security challenges. Furthermore, it encourages stronger cooperation between private and public security institutions, ensuring that both sectors complement each other in advancing the overall safety and stability of our nation,” he said.
The Speaker also said that security reforms remain a top national priority, and the time has come for the debate on multi-level policing to move from theory to decisive legislative action.
Mr. Abbas said; “Creating state police through a constitutional amendment remains a viable option that deserves serious consideration. However, beyond constitutional reform, there is also an urgent need to strengthen community policing as provided in the Police Act, 2020, to make it more effective and responsive to the realities of local communities.”
He urged the Committee and all participants to approach the deliberations with focus, sincerity, and a strong sense of national duty.
“The outcome of today’s engagement should reflect sound judgment and contribute meaningfully to the refinement of our national security framework,” he stated
The Chairman of the House Committee On National Security And Intelligence Mr. Ahmad Satomi, said that “the Public Hearing marks a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s national security framework and ensuring the professionalism of private intelligence and investigation services.”
“The proposed bill seeks to establish a regulatory framework that ensures the professionalism, ethical conduct, and accountability of private intelligence and investigation entities,” Mr. Satomi said.
The Council proposed in the Bill if established aims to standardise industry practices, provide accreditation and certification, promote continuous training and development, and foster collaboration between private and public security sectors.
“It is therefore expected that through this legislative effort, the integrity and effectiveness of private intelligence and investigation services in contributing to national security and public safety will be greatly enhanced,” Mr. Satomi said.
He said; “This bill therefore, aligns with the National Assembly’s efforts to address security concerns and promote legislative measures that improve national security.
“The benefits of the Bill are enormous and its objectives are laudable as it seeks not just to Establish a council to oversee and accredit private intelligence and investigation services, it also streamlines implementation mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing compliance with regulations, and further develops partnerships between public and private security agencies to enhance effective security outcomes.
“The Committee have reviewed the submissions so far received from stakeholders in the Nigerian security architecture. While most of the submissions are supportive of the Bill, there are however some concerns that have been raised by some,” the Chairman said.
In his goodwill message on behalf of the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Assistant Commander Atta John Onoja said the Corps had intensified its clampdown on illegal mining operations nationwide.
Onoja, who heads the Mining Marshal Unit, a joint task force established in March 2024 in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals revealed that over 500 illegal miners have been arrested, with 270 already facing trial and several convictions secured in recent weeks.
“Illegal miners are no longer having their field day. Many are now running to regularize their operations,” Onoja stated.
“The NSCDC, under the directive of the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Solid Minerals, remains committed to eliminating illegal mining to its barest minimum,” he stressed.
While acknowledging operational challenges, Onoja called for stronger legal frameworks to ensure effective prosecution and deterrence against mining-related crimes.
He assured the lawmakers of the NSCDC’s maximum cooperation and partnership in the national effort to sanitize the sector, emphasizing that the fight against illegal mining aligns directly with the Corps’ mandate to protect critical national assets and infrastructure.
The committee went into an executive session to chart its roadmap for investigations and collaboration with key stakeholders.
Olusola Akintonde