Nigerian Intelligence Community Study Notes

The Nigerian Intelligence Community

  • The Nigerian Intelligence Community comprises agencies responsible for procuring and disseminating intelligence affecting Nigeria's internal and external security on civil and military matters.
  • Composition:
    • State Security Service (SSS)
    • Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)
    • National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
    • Force Criminal and Intelligence Department (FCID) of the Nigerian Police
    • Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office (SSO)
  • The National Security Adviser (NSA) coordinates these agencies and reports to the president.

Evolution of the Community

  • Originates from the colonial period with:
    • Special Branch of the Nigeria Police Force (E-Department)
    • Military Intelligence Unit
    • British Security Liaison Officers
  • Post-independence (1960): Federal Intelligence Committee formed
    • Members included: Secretary to the Prime Minister (chairman), Head of Special Branch, Head of Research Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Inspector General of Police, GOC Nigerian Army, representative from Military Intelligence, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.
  • 1976: Nigeria Security Organization (NSO) established under General Olusegun OBASANJO (Rtd)
    • Comprised Special Branch, Research Department of Ministry of External Affairs, and Special Department of the cabinet office.
    • Formed a new Intelligence Community with Directorates of Internal Security, External Security, and Military Intelligence.
  • 1986: NSO disbanded by General Ibrahim Badamasi BABANGIDA (Rtd), replaced by:
    • Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) - Defence and Military matters
    • National Intelligence Agency (NIA) - External Intelligence
    • State Security Service (SSS) - Internal Security matters

Current Composition of ICC

  • The Nigerian Intelligence Community Committee (ICC) comprises:
    • National Security Adviser (Chairman)
    • Director General, SSS (Member)
    • Chief of Defence Intelligence (Member)
    • Director General, NIA (Member)
    • Permanent Secretary, SSO (Member)
    • AIG, FCID (Member)
    • Defence Military Intelligence (Member)
    • Defence Naval Intelligence (Member)
    • Defence Airforce Intelligence (Member)
    • Special Services Officer (Secretary)
    • Other co-opted persons

Activities of ICC

  • The ICC meets weekly to discuss sensitive issues related to the intelligence community.

Functions of ICC

  • Review of Current Intelligence
  • Consideration of matters relating to the common Services of the Intelligence Community
  • Consideration of other matters affecting the Intelligence Community
  • Tasks assigned by the President

Functions of NSA

  • Established by the National Security Agencies Decree, 1986 (cap 278 LFN) and instrument No. NSA, replacing the coordinator on national Security (CONS).
  • Functions include:
    • Advising the president on intelligence activities of DIA, SSS, NIA, and other agencies.
    • Making recommendations on agency activities to the president.
    • Correlating and evaluating intelligence reports related to National Security and disseminating such Intelligence.
    • Preparing and implementing policies ensuring effective national intelligence coverage.
    • Directing agencies on intelligence production on topics of interest.
    • Developing and maintaining common services for the Intelligence Community.
    • Serving as chairman and convener for ICC, Joint Intelligence Board (JIB), and National Security Agencies appeal Committee (NSAAC).
    • Performing other duties as directed by the president.

State Security Service (SSS)

  • Established by Decree No. 19 of 1986 and derives its power from the same Decree and instrument No. SSS 1 of 1999.
  • Major objective: protect and preserve Nigeria's internal security and economy against subversion, sabotage, and other threats to stability.

Functions of SSS

  • Prevention, detection, and investigation of:
    • Threat of Espionage
    • Threat of Subversion
    • Threat of Sabotage
    • Economic Crimes of National Security dimension
    • Terrorist activities
    • Separatist agitation and inter-group conflicts
    • Threats to law and order
  • Provision of protective security for designed principal government functionaries, sensitive installations and visiting foreign dignitaries
  • Vetting of:
    • Prospective appointees to public offices
    • Vital and sensitive corporate organizations before their incorporation and continuous covert monitoring.
    • Applicants for Nigerian International Passports and Nationalization/Nigeria Citizenship
  • Provision of timely advice to government on all matters of national security interest
  • Other functions assigned by the president.

National Intelligence Agency (NIA)

  • Established by Decree 18 of 1986, deriving power from instrument No. NIA 1.
  • Objective: protection, promotion, and enhancement of Nigeria's Security, national interest, economy, and Government's Policy objectives outside Nigeria.
Functions of NIA
  • Obtaining external intelligence on activities aimed at bringing disrespect to Nigeria or undermining its security.
  • Advancing Nigeria's vital interests through external intelligence.
  • Identifying and assisting in the apprehension of individuals outside Nigeria who have committed crimes against Nigeria's security.
  • Monitoring foreign countries' intentions, activities, and policies toward Nigeria.
  • Monitoring external plans or acts of subversion, sabotage, or terrorism against Nigeria.
  • Conducting espionage, covert operations, and counterintelligence activities outside Nigeria.
  • Collecting, collating, analyzing, and researching external intelligence.
  • Providing protection for the president and other important Nigerian Government dignitaries abroad.
  • Tasks assigned by the president, NSC, NSA, ICC, and JIB.

Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)

  • Established by Presidential Decree No. 19 of 1986.
  • Composed of approximately 40% military and 60% civilians.
  • Specifically formed to provide intelligence inputs into the JHQ decision-making process.
  • Headed by a military officer of the rank of Lt. Gen. or equivalent, known as the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI).
  • The CDI reports to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff for operations and Defence Intelligence requirements.
Roles of DIA
  • Prevention and detection of crimes of a military nature against Nigeria's security.
  • Protection and preservation of all military classified matters.
  • Responsibilities affecting intelligence of any military nature.
Functions of DIA
  • Coordination of all intelligence activities of Nigeria Armed Forces.
  • Acting as the intelligence resource of the Minister of Defence and the Joint Chiefs of staff.
  • Providing combined intelligence appreciation and threat perception.
  • Providing intelligence to determine military threats to Nigeria.
  • Providing counter-intelligence measures.
  • Conducting psychological operations in support of Joint Service Military Operations.
  • Advising on defence intelligence to the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), the National Defence Council (NDC) and the President.

Nigeria Police Force

  • Its existence is constitutionally derived from sections 214 to 216 of the 1999 constitution and the Police Act Cap Laws of the Federation (1990).
  • Duties include:
    • Prevention and detection of crime.
    • Apprehension of offenders.
    • Preservation of law and order.
    • Enforcement of all laws and regulations.
    • Performance of military duties.

Conclusion

  • The ICC meets monthly to review internal and external security situations.
  • Agencies provide briefs to form the basis of deliberations.
  • Respective agencies are tasked on intelligence requirements.
  • ICC advises the President on security issues.