List of Paramilitary Forces in Nigeria

List of Paramilitary Forces in Nigeria

A paramilitary is an organisation that resembles a professional military in terms of structure, tactics, training, subculture, and (often) function, but which is not a part of a nation’s official or legal armed forces. When a nation’s military or police forces are unable or unwilling to perform certain tasks, paramilitary formations step in.

Although a paramilitary is not a military unit, in terms of intensity, weaponry, and organisational structure, it is typically comparable to a military’s light infantry group. Paramilitary groups and forces employ “military” tools, techniques, and strategies that are acceptable in the civilian world (IE: Urban environments etc). Paramilitary occupations are typically found in high-profile non-military locations like laboratories, nuclear power plants, industrial explosives factories, seaports, airports, borders, and government locations like embassies, palaces, political summits, etc., where they perform duties like VIP protection and counterterrorism. Even though they are not military personnel or do not support the military in times of conflict, paramilitaries may frequently be under the direction of a military.

Although they are not technically recognised as a member of the nation’s armed forces, paramilitary groups often perform responsibilities that are analogous to those of the military and share organisational hierarchy, tactics, and training with them. Nine paramilitary organisations are created within the government in Nigeria to assist the military on the home front in advancing national security.

This is a comprehensive list of paramilitary forces in Nigeria:

• NIGERIA POLICE FORCE (NPF)

It is the responsibility of the Nigeria Police to protect the lives and property of Nigerians. The Nigerian Police use strategies to deter and stop crime before it has a chance to cause terrible events that threaten lives and property. The Nigerian Police Force is also tasked with the responsibility of upholding social order by mandating respect to the laws and social standards of the nation in order to foster social stability, cohesiveness, and organisation and to conduct criminal activity investigations.
The Nigeria Police take actions designed to deter theft and vandalism in order to protect the material possessions and properties of the nation’s residents. According to The Police Act, the Nigeria Police make arrests of people who break the country’s laws and then file criminal charges against them.

• NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE (NIS)

The following duties are carried out by the Nigeria Immigration Service in accordance with Section 2 of the Immigration Act, 2015, including the regulation of people leaving and entering Nigeria, the issuance of living permits to foreign nationals in Nigeria, and the distribution of authentic Nigerian passports to those who qualify. In addition to conducting regular border patrols, the Nigerian Immigration Service is also responsible for upholding laws and regulations.

• FEDERAL FIRE SERVICE IN NIGERIA (FFSN)

The Federal Fire Service is mandated by law to carry out the aforementioned duties, as well as those of fire prevention, safety, mitigation, and investigation. The Federal Fire Service is also tasked with regulating the operations of the state and private fire services to ensure effective performance of their duties. The Federal Fire Service is also tasked with making sure that fire and rescue equipment complies with industry standards. The organisation also provides fire service policies and educates the public about fire safety.

• NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICE (NCOS)

According to the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019, the Nigerian Correctional Service is able to carry out tasks like socially isolating and imprisoning lawbreakers who have been shown to be a threat to the country’s social order and cohesion in order to make sure that deviance from the norms does not disrupt public order. The NCoS is also in charge of carrying out reformatory programmes designed to ensure that offenders repent. The discharge of non-custodial measures, such as parole and probation, among others, as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, is another responsibility of the Nigerian Correction Service.

• NIGERIA DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (NDLEA)

The NDLEA’s mission is to use the resources under its control to ensure the eradication of illicit drug trafficking in narcotics and psychotropic substances, the elimination of the demand for such substances, the tracking and recovery of the proceeds of such trade, the patrolling and surveillance of public areas such as seaports, airports, and borders to prevent the importation and exportation of illicit drugs and other psychotropic substances, and the eradication of the demand for such substances.

• NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS (NSCDC)

In times of emergency and tragedy, the NSCDC is tasked with preserving peace and order and defending the lives of the general public. In accordance with the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution, it is also given the power to detain and arrest people who are strongly suspected of engaging in civil disorder and vandalism of vital government-owned infrastructure, as well as to investigate their activities and launch legal proceedings against them. In addition, it is the responsibility of the NSCDC to control the operations of private guard companies by urging registration and regular inspection of their offices and training facilities to make sure they are up to code and capable of carrying out their duties.

• NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE (NCS)

The following tasks have been assigned to the Nigeria Customs Service and have been properly permitted by law. These responsibilities include stopping contraband like weapons and illegal drugs, assessing and collecting customs duties and other traveller taxes, protecting businesses from unfair trade practises, enforcing import and export restrictions, gathering accurate import and export data for the Federal Government of Nigeria’s economic and financial planning, conducting physical inspections of containers, vessels, or travellers, and taking part in investigative tasks.

• FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS (FRSC)

The Federal Road Safety Commission (establishment) Act of 2007 gives the FRSC the authority to carry out the job of making driving in Nigeria safe while also eliminating traffic accidents. The FRSC is specifically in charge of preventing accidents on highways, educating drivers, motorists, and other road users on how to use roads safely, determining and enforcing speed limits for moving vehicles on highways, and guaranteeing uniformity of highway traffic codes.

The FRSC also works on designing and generating driver’s licences and vehicle number plates for use by various categories of vehicle operators. To properly carry out its duties, the FRSC also sets regulations in conformity with the Act. The FRSC also conducts research into the reasons why accidents happen and how to prevent them, then uses the findings to get outcomes. Its legislative duties also include regulating the use of motorcycles, sirens, and seat belts.

• ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION (EFCC)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act of 2007 is the governing law that directs the EFCC to stop the widespread commission of crimes like money laundering, advance fee fraud, cybercrime, banking fraud, and official corruption. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to locate, identify, seize, and freeze the proceeds of the aforementioned illegal actions.