Reps Pass Bill to Enhance Security Agency Collaboration

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives advanced a bill for the second reading that seeks to amend the 2004 Act to promote synergy among various lead security agencies and paramilitary institutions in Nigeria through improved intelligence sharing. The private member’s bill, sponsored by Hon.

Bukar Talba, aims to enhance collaboration among the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). In his debate, Talba stressed the importance of security coordination in a federated environment, noting that national security threats such as terrorism and cyber-attacks often transcend geographic and organizational boundaries.

The bill proposes that the Armed Forces lead and coordinate intelligence collection and analysis efforts among these agencies. It also suggests amendments to the Act to allow collaboration with accredited non-state actors deemed necessary for combating national security challenges.