Paramilitary forces possess similar organizational hierarchy, tactics, training, and sometimes roles are comparable to those of the military but are not formally regarded as part of the country’s armed forces. In Nigeria, there exist nine paramilitary forces that are organized under the government to support the military internally in promoting national security.
This is a comprehensive list of paramilitary forces in Nigeria:
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Nigeria Police Force (NPF)
The Nigeria Police is saddled with the duty of preserving the lives and properties of Nigerians. The Nigeria Police apply tactics that check and prevent crime that could result in unfortunate incidents on lives and properties. The Nigerian Police Force Is also saddled with the duty of maintaining social order by enforcing adherence to the country’s social norms and laws to promote social stability, cohesion, and organization, as well as the investigation of criminal activities.
To protect the physical assets and properties of the citizens of the country, the Nigeria Police engage in measures directed at preventing theft and vandalism. The Nigeria Police carry out arrests against violators of the country’s national laws and subsequently prosecute offenders, as required of The Police Act.
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Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)
The Nigeria Immigration Service performs the following functions as empowered by Section 2 of the Immigration Act, 2015 which include; control of persons leaving and entering Nigeria, disbursement of travel documents such as Nigerian passports to authentic Nigerians within and outside Nigeria, and the issuance of living permits to individuals of other nationalities in Nigeria. The Nigerian Immigration Service is also involved in routine border surveillance and engages in the enforcement of rules and regulations as charged by the service
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Federal Fire Service in Nigeria (FFSN)
The Federal Fires Service is directed by law to perform the following functions which include; regulation of the activities of the state and private fire services to ensure the efficient discharge of their functions, and engaging in fire prevention, safety, mitigation, and investigations. The Federal Fire Service is also saddled with the task of ensuring that fire and rescue equipment adhere to standard criteria. The agency also engages in public enlightenment on fire education and the provision of fire service policies.
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Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS)
The Nigerian Correctional Service is empowered by the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019, to perform functions that include the following; social isolation and confinement of violators of the country’s law proven to be a menace to the organization, stability, and social cohesion of the society to ensure that departure from the norms does not impede the peace of the society. The NCoS is also responsible for the implementation of reformative programs aimed at ensuring repentance in offenders. The Nigerian Correction Service is also tasked with the discharge of non-custodial measures such as parole, probation, amongst others, as directed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
The NDLEA’s mission focuses on using resources at its control to ensure the eradication of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances; obliteration of the demand for narcotic drugs and other substances of abuse; tracing and recovering of proceeds of the illegal drug trade; patrolling and engaging in surveillance in public places as seaports, airports, and borders to prevent the importation and exportation of illicit drugs and other psychotropic substances; leading efforts relevant to drug-related researches; engaging in routine public enlightenment workshops on narcotic substances, dangers, and abuse; investigations and prosecution of drug-related violations.
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Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
The NSCDC is mandated to support the sustenance of peace and order to safeguard the lives of the civil population in times of disaster and crises. It is also charged with the authority to arrest, detain, investigate and embark on legal proceedings in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against individuals significantly suspected to have engaged in violation of civil disorder and vandalism of critical government-owned infrastructure. Furthermore, it is the duty of the NSCDC to regulate the activities of private guard companies by recommending registration and routine inspection of their premises and training facilities to ensure they are up to standard to effectively discharge their responsibilities.
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Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
The Nigeria Customs Service has been mandated to perform the following functions, duly authorized by legislation. These roles include; interception of contraband such as weapons and illicit drugs; assessment and collection of Customs duties and other taxes of travelers; protection of businesses from unfair trade practices; enforcement of import and export restrictions; a collection of accurate import and export data for economic and financial planning by the Federal Government of Nigeria; conduction of physical checks on containers, vessels or travelers, participation in investigations and audits, as well as the prosecution of violators.
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Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
The Federal Road Safety Commission (establishment) Act 2007 empowers the FRSC to carry out the task of creating a safe motoring environment in Nigeria while eradicating road traffic crashes. Specifically, the FRSC is responsible for the following; accident prevention on the highways; education of drivers, motorists, and other road users on the proper use of the highways; determination and subsequent enforcement of speed limits of vehicles plying the highways; and ensuring the uniformity of highway traffic codes.
The FRSC also engage in designing and producing vehicle number plates and driver’s license used by various classifications of vehicle operators. The FRSC furthermore makes regulations in accordance with the Act, to effectively discharge its roles. The FRSC also performs research related to causes of accidents and methods of prevention and applies these results to achieve results. Regulation of the use of seat belts, motorcycles, sirens, is also part of its statutory function.
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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2007 is the constituting instrument that mandates the EFCC to curb the prevalent perpetration of crimes such as, money laundering, advance fee fraud, cybercrime, banking fraud, and corrupt practices of government officials. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is therefore responsible for identifying, tracing and freezing, and confiscating proceeds gotten from the aforementioned illicit activities.