Government, private security companies must cooperate – Arase

Collaboration between security agencies and their private counterparts, according to Dr. Solomon Arase, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, will promote economic growth in Nigeria.

Arase made this statement recently at the 2023 leadership retreat held at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan and hosted by the Lagos Chapter 206 of the American Society for Industrial Security.

Former Inspector General of Police Arase emphasised the critical part that public-private partnerships play in boosting security.

Such collaborations can enhance security outcomes by utilising the resources and experience of the private sector to support government efforts. Additionally, because security is so important to investor confidence, these partnerships may promote economic growth.

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Also speaking at the event was Mrs. Joko Olanitori, Chairman of ASIS Chapter 206, who emphasised the value of fostering strategic alliances between Nigeria’s private security sector and state-run security organisations.

‘Secured Handshake: A public and private sector imperative for effective security operations and practise in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world,’ she said, was the theme of this year’s event.

According to Olanitori, the cooperation is seen as essential for making the necessary progress towards resolving the country’s enduring problems with insecurity.

She claimed that the purpose of the gathering was to encourage knowledge sharing and best practises among ASIS members while also coming up with creative solutions to the growing insecurity in Nigeria.

In order to effectively address the country’s increasing insecurity, Olanitori emphasised the urgent need for structured and formalised engagement between Nigerian public security agencies like the Army, Nigerian Navy, Air Force, Police, Department of State Service, and others, and the private security industry.

However, in order to bring about the much-needed positive change, Brigadier-General Idam Agachi (Retd) urged the private security industry to reflect and start working with governmental organisations.