Amid rising concerns over national security, stakeholders from statutory agencies, the private security sector, and allied institutions gathered recently for the September edition of the Security Roundtable, hosted by Halogen Group in partnership with LSSTF.

The high-level roundtable session provided a solution-driven platform to discuss urgent security matters including intelligence sharing, inter-agency trust, firearms management, and private sector integration.

Dr. Balogun, Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF emphasized the need for a working framework that strengthens collaboration between government security outfits and private security sectors. Participants unanimously agreed that security is a collective responsibility and must go beyond political, economic, and social divides.

The Department of State Services (DSS) reinforced its role as the statutory agency for intelligence processing, urging citizens to freely share information through open channels without fear. However, concerns were raised about inter-agency mistrust and intelligence leaks, with stakeholders calling for structured trust-building and interoperable platforms.

A major talking point was the proliferation of firearms within non-combatant statutory bodies. Stakeholders emphasized the need to review the current firearms policy and restrict armament to core law enforcement agencies, notably the Nigeria Police Force. Furthermore, the Roundtable emphasized the role of local intelligence and urged agencies to deepen their engagement with traditional institutions and communities. On the private sector front, uniform standards, capacity building, background checks, and ethical professionalism were stressed as vital for effective public-private synergy.

Recommendations from the roundtable included the implementation of regular joint simulation and training exercises, the establishment of a national database of licensed private security guards, the adoption of advanced technologies such as biometric access, AI-powered surveillance, and CCTV integration, as well as the institutionalization of clear policy frameworks to guide collaboration across all layers of Nigeria’s security architecture.

The event concluded with a shared understanding: Nigeria’s security cannot rest on government shoulders alone. A collaborative, transparent, and tech-forward approach anchored in trust and professionalism is key to building a safer nation for all.

Halogen Group is West Africa’s leading security and risk management solutions provider, with over 30 years of proven expertise in protecting people, assets, and reputations. Operating across all 36 states of Nigeria and beyond, Halogen delivers integrated security solutions that combine innovative technology, skilled workforce, and strategic intelligence to address today’s complex mobility, operational, and digital threats