Human activities, including elections, require security. Experts recommend strong security for each developing nation.
Nigeria needs a strong security system to defend and grow its democracy.
The state must protect citizens and institutions. It established the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to assist the police.
Someone must fill the void left by government security forces.
Security agencies protected politicians, INEC staff, electoral materials, voters, rallies, and conventions during the last general election.
The recent general election’s violence and clashes highlight the necessity of strengthening the nation’s security system.
Violent protests, electoral supply theft, and targeted attacks on leaders and voters were among the election security issues.
Several commentators blame insufficient polling unit security for the violence.
Section 27 (3) of the Election Act 2022 holds INEC liable for violence, according to certain political analysts (3).
In accordance with that clause, INEC must seek and allocate the required security personnel during elections or voter registrations.
They say the law only limited the Nigerian military forces.
During elections, specific security precautions must be implemented to secure Nigeria’s wide land mass and massive population.
Mr. Okereke Chinwike, Chief Executive Officer, African Law Foundation (AFRILAW), said it was necessary to recognise the complementing responsibilities of private security providers in election security to address this difficulty.
“The Federal Government should use private security firms to secure future elections,” he added.
“To use their resources in the future, INEC, private security operators, and election policymakers must work together,” he said.
“The private security guards can play a crucial role in monitoring and reporting instances and offer protection for election stakeholders’ office premises, politicians, political parties’ activities, INEC, and other support services that public security forces carry out.”
“Though they have been providing some of these services informally, we want policymakers to make it official so they can support the public security authorities.”
To provide quality and professional services in future elections, they should get capacity development training.
In elections, private security protects government buildings, political party headquarters, and political players’ houses.
He said, “They also complement formal security in crowd management at rallies and other political meetings.”
Mr. Oyesanya Sanya, NSCDC Deputy Commandant, agrees that commercial security firms should be allowed to assist governmental security forces during elections.
Private security was created since the UN’s suggested ratio of one police officer per 450 residents was not met.
Private security guards are filling the void left by government-funded security companies.
“Using them for election security will help us have a well-secured election process,” he added.
Dr. David Vareba, Access Africa for Rights and Development Initiative Coordinator, said all important election players should make conscious efforts to guarantee the appropriate deployment of private security guards during the election.
Vareba, an election observer in Rivers during the 2023 general election, also alleged that private security guards were not appropriately involved.
He advocated fair remuneration for private security personnel in high-risk and dangerous locations for election-related responsibilities.
Vice President of the Association of Licenced Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Clement Anala, said private security guards should be integrated into the mainstream security architecture for improved synergy between private and public security professionals.
We have many private security guards in the 36 states.
“To ensure our full engagement in future elections, we require capacity building for our staff and more collaboration with relevant security players, including the government, civil society, and media,” he added.
