Why Nigeria Police should leverage on private security firms’ expertise, by Olaoye

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Halogen Security Company Limited, Wale Olaoye, has charged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to leverage on the competence and expertise of private security companies.

He made the assertion following the rising number crimes and killings in the country, which had led many to describe Nigeria as a failed state.

Speaking at a one-day workshop on Crime Prevention and Community Safety in Lagos, Olaoye argued that contemporary crimes require redefined, high-technology and intelligent approach to handle.

He affirmed that the NPF needed massive support to enhance their operations, particularly in the area of new technologies, steady electricity and technical know-how.

He lamented that police officers had been left unequipped and under-funded for a long time, and urged government to create an enabling environment for private security organisations to work with the NPF for progressive and value-added purpose.

“There is need for the NPF to genuinely leverage on private security companies’ competence and wealth of experience and knowledge. There is the need to engage stakeholders in the sector, learn from best practices through knowledge sharing, tactics, intelligence and technology.

“They need to seek partnerships and cooperation that will enhance and ensure effectiveness and comprehensiveness, as well as deploy new technologies for threats, updates and crowd sourcing, among others,” he said.

Olaoye added that the NPF was doing well even in the midst of poor resources and despite being the most maligned security agency, saying the private sector could also help in bridging the capacity building space through qua gtraining in crime prevention and community safety.

“If you look at the work of the first responders, that is Crime Scene Management (CSM), there is no part of the world where you see that CSM is entirely managed by the police alone. ]