Law enforcement in Nigeria is more than just the police. Over the decades, successive governments have set up different agencies to tackle the country’s complex security and governance challenges. From drugs to financial crimes, intelligence gathering to road safety, each agency has a unique mandate but with one common goal — to maintain law and order.
Contents
- Nigeria Police Force (NPF)
- The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
- Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)
- Department of State Services (DSS)
- Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
- Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
- Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
- The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
- Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
- The National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at the 10 law enforcement agencies in Nigeria, how they came about, and their roles. - Nigeria Police Force (NPF)
The Nigeria Police Force is the oldest and largest law enforcement body in the country. It was established in 1930 and is currently headed by Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
The NPF is tasked with protecting life and property, preventing and investigating crime, and maintaining law and order across the country.
They operate under their functions in Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Nigeria Police Act 2020.
- The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
The NDLEA was established in December 1989 by Decree No. 48 to combat the rising drug trafficking crisis that had damaged Nigeria’s global image.
The agency serves as the country’s lead agency for drug policy and control, tasked with stopping the production, import, export, sale, and trafficking of illicit substances. Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA also focuses on prevention through advocacy, counselling, and rehabilitation of drug users.
- Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)
The NIS became a standalone agency in 1963, after being carved out of the Nigeria Police Force. It was established by an Act of Parliament under Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa’s government.
The service manages Nigeria’s borders, issues passports and visas, and regulates migration in and out of the country. It also combats human trafficking and illegal migration.
- Department of State Services (DSS)
The DSS, once known as the State Security Service (SSS), was created in 1986 under Decree 19 of General Badamosi Babangida’s regime. It took over from the defunct National Security Organisation (NSO).
The DSS handles domestic intelligence, counter-terrorism, and the protection of senior government officials. The secret intelligence agency also monitors threats to internal security.
- Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
The EFCC was established in 2003, following President Olusegun Obasanjo’s push to tackle widespread corruption. The EFCC Establishment Act of 2004 gave it legal backing.
The commission’s duty is to investigate and prosecute financial crimes like money laundering, fraud, embezzlement, and cybercrimes. The agency also works to recover stolen public funds and return them to the treasury.
- Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
The Nigeria Customs Service was formally established under British colonial rule in 1891, but its modern legal basis is now the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which repealed the older Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA).
Its role goes beyond collecting duties. The NCS ensures trade compliance, prevents smuggling, and secures Nigeria’s borders against illegal goods.
- Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
The NSCDC was established under the NSCDC Act of 2003, during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
The corps protects critical infrastructure, prevents pipeline vandalism, and regulates private security outfits. It also plays a humanitarian role in disaster response.
- The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
ICPC was established on September 29, 2000. Similar to that of EFCC, its mandate is to prevent, investigate, and prosecute corruption in public bodies. The agency also conducts public enlightenment campaigns on ethics and accountability.
They receive, investigate, and prosecute cases of corruption as dictated by their constitutional mandate under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000.
- Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
Nigeria’s road safety agency was created in 1988 under General Babangida. The FRSC enforces traffic laws, manages road safety campaigns, issues driver’s licences, and ensures vehicles on Nigerian roads are roadworthy.
Its work has reduced highway accidents, though road safety remains a major national challenge.
- The National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
NIA was formally established on June 5, 1986, through the National Security Agencies Act (Decree 19).
The agency is Nigeria’s top external intelligence service. Working largely behind the scenes, it is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and sharing information critical to national security. Its scope covers areas like terrorism, kidnapping, human and drug trafficking, cybercrime, and arms smuggling.
