The House of Representatives is advancing legislative efforts to curb kidnapping, banditry, and related crimes by formalising the role of private intelligence services. At a public hearing held in Abuja, members debated the Private Intelligence and Investigation Council Bill, 2024, aimed at establishing a regulated framework for private intelligence operators.
Chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Hon. Ahmad Satomi, opened the hearing emphasising the urgency of the measure. He revealed that between May 2023 and April 2024, Nigeria recorded about 2.23 million kidnapping cases and paid approximately ₦2.23 trillion in ransoms. According to him, traditional security agencies alone are overwhelmed by the scale and complexity of the threat.
Under the provisions of the bill, once passed, a regulatory council would be created to oversee the accreditation, monitoring, and professional conduct of private intelligence and investigation firms. The council would also provide continuous training, ensure ethical standards, and facilitate collaboration with state security agencies.
However, during the hearing, concerns were raised about possible redundancy with statutory security agencies. Some stakeholders questioned whether functions of intelligence gathering would encroach upon or duplicate roles legally reserved for the police or national intelligence services. Hon. Satomi responded that the law is designed to fill gaps, not supplant existing agencies.
Supporters of the bill argue that private intelligence operators can provide agility, local knowledge, and additional capacity, especially in areas where government presence is weak. They believe that regulation will reduce abuses and enhance accountability while enabling useful intelligence sharing.
Lens News gathered that, If the bill is enacted, the council will be expected to track how private intelligence is used, enforce data protection, certify practitioners, and also prescribe sanctions for non-compliance. The goal, according to proponents, is to tighten the net around criminal networks and reduce the financial incentives that fuel kidnapping and banditry.
