IGP, FCTA Push for Stronger Public-Private Collaboration To Tackle Insecurity

Toyin Adebayo

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have called for deeper collaboration between public institutions and private security organizations to sustain the fight against insecurity across Nigeria.

They made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the 15th anniversary celebration of the Abuja Chapter of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), themed “United in Resilience: Forging Public-Private Partnership to Protect.”

Represented by Assistant Inspector-General Adeboye Hamza, the IGP emphasized the need for a “whole-of-society approach” to combating crime, noting that effective security in today’s world demands joint efforts from government, civil society, and private security operators.

“This is an era of a whole-of-society approach. That is why the Nigeria Police Force has been at the forefront of promoting community policing a movement from government protect to everyone protect,” Egbetokun said.

He added that the active involvement of civil society groups and private security organizations would go a long way in improving the efficiency of national security operations.

Also speaking, the Director of the Department of Security Services, FCTA, Adamu Gwary, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to protecting critical infrastructure and preventing vandalism across the territory.

Represented by Dr. Peter Olumuji, Secretary of the FCT Command and Control Centre, Gwary said the FCTA had intensified community sensitization and collaboration with traditional and religious leaders to enhance local surveillance and intelligence sharing.

“Part of the measures we have put in place includes partnering with private security operators such as vigilante groups, hunters, and private security companies. These partnerships have proven critical in safeguarding public assets and complementing the work of conventional security agencies,” he explained.

In his remarks, Chairman of ASIS Abuja Chapter 273, Edward Orim, reflected on the organization’s journey over the past 15 years, highlighting its role in advancing professionalism and strengthening partnerships within Nigeria’s security ecosystem.

He noted that since its establishment, the chapter has remained committed to promoting excellence in security practice, fostering knowledge exchange, and bridging gaps between the public and private sectors.

“Over the years, we have facilitated capacity building, supported private sector initiatives, and built a strong bridge between security professionals and government agencies,” Orim said.

He added that the anniversary symposium served as a reminder that collaboration is not a choice but a necessity in achieving national resilience and security.

“ASIS Abuja has grown into a beacon of professionalism, aligning with global security standards while addressing the unique realities of our environment in Nigeria,” he added.

The event brought together stakeholders from law enforcement, intelligence, private security, and the corporate sector, all of whom underscored the need to sustain synergy and innovative approaches in the fight against insecurity.