Reps advance bill to establish private investigation council

The house of representatives is considering a bill to establish a council to regulate private investigation and intelligence services in the country.

The bill has scaled first and second reading in the lower legislative chamber.

Speaking on Wednesday at the public hearing on the bill, Ahmad Satomi, chairman of the house committee on national security and intelligence, said the bill intends to ensure 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,” he said.

He said the council will 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,” Satomi added.

The legislator said Nigeria faces complex security challenges, from insurgency to cybercrime, adding that strengthening the nation’s security architecture requires innovative approaches, including effective regulation of private security services.

He cited the 2024 National Bureau of Statistics  (NBS) report of 51.89 million household crime incidents recorded between May 2023 and April 2024, with kidnapping accounting for 2.23 million incidents and N2.23 trillion in ransom payments during the same period.

“Though the efforts of security agencies in tackling these criminalities are highly commendable, it is also evident that all hands need to be on deck for Nigeria to curtail and win the war sustainably. Security, it is said, is everyone’s business,” Satomi said.

He said the bill aligns with the national assembly’s efforts to address security concerns and promote legislative measures that improve national security.

Satomi said the committee has received proposals on the bill and will consider them.

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, who was represented by Muktar Shagaya, a lawmaker from Kwara, said the bill aims to implement uniform practices to raise service quality and promote best industry standards.

“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,” he said.

Abbas harped on creating state police to enhance the country’s security architecture.