Lawmaker seeks regulation of private intelligence sector

Ahmad Satomi, the Chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has called for the creation of a regulatory body to oversee private intelligence and investigation services in Nigeria.

Speaking at a public hearing on the Private Intelligence and Investigation Council Bill, 2024 in Abuja on Wednesday, Satomi said the legislation would professionalise the sector and improve national security through enhanced standards, ethics, and accountability.

According to him, the proposed council would accredit and certify practitioners, promote continuous training, and encourage collaboration between private and public security actors.

“The Bill seeks to ensure that private intelligence and investigation entities operate within a standardized framework that contributes effectively to national security and public safety,” Satomi said.

Citing a 2024 National Bureau of Statistics report, he expressed concern that Nigeria recorded 51.89 million household crime incidents between May 2023 and April 2024, including over 2.2 million kidnappings and ransom payments estimated at N2.23 trillion.

While acknowledging the efforts of security agencies, he stressed the need for “innovative and inclusive measures such as private sector regulation” to curb insecurity.

Satomi also addressed concerns about overlaps with existing agencies, noting that the bill provides a framework to tackle poor intelligence sharing and inter-agency rivalry. He urged stakeholders to provide constructive inputs to guide the committee’s final report to the House.