Private Guards and National Security

The private guard security sub-sector has been overlooked all this while considering matters of national security. The purpose of this book is to unravel the significance of private security guard companies to national security, also the sector's critical roles in community policing and economic development; how government can explore its advantages to ensure an effective security network. I believe that this opportunity will enhance intelligence gathering, good communication and prompt response to emergencies. The major security problem Nigeria is facing today is inadequate synergy among security agencies and the public. It appears every security agency operates independently of other sister security agencies. No single security agency has the sole capacity to effectively secure a nation as the situation at present is worrisome. Ideally, no security agency should assume alpha and omega in security matters or see itself as more important than others. This mentality of "I am more important than others" has affected efficient security networks, information sharing, intelligence gathering, crime prevention also responding to emergencies. The immediate solution to Nigeria's security challenge hinges on the synergism among all stakeholders: security agencies and members of the community.