CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Security department is one of the most of important department in most of the developed countries of the world. Countries like the US and Russia invest more in the security department. One major responsibility of the state is provisioning of internal security and defense from external threats (Damian, 2000).

According to John Stuart Mill, (2008) stated that security is the most vital of all interest and that security of a person and property are the first need of society. The provision of security was viewed as the most fundamental obligation and task of the state as the “Weberian state” was perceived to enjoy the monopoly of the legitimate use of force, implying that security is the defining feature of the state and its provision at the heart of the state (Weber, 1919). However, the conception and practice of security has changed over time largely because of the manner in which the state has performed its task of providing security to the general public and the growing private concern (Mbadlanyana, 2011).

Security from crime, fear and victimization at the state, local and personal levels is an important basis for economic and social development as noted in the United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime (Economic and Social Council resolution, 2002/13 Annex). Hence, an effectively secured society is viewed as the basis for sustainable peace and development as security is a necessity in every human society. The implication being that, its absence threatens the survival of individuals and their properties (Inyang and Abraham, 2014). This is why governments worldwide invest huge resources to ensure that lives and properties of their citizens are secured (Ekhomu, 2004). Okereke (2014) also argued that, the security and safety of private and public life are sine qua non for human existence, survival and development. However, it is still argued that, no government has the wherewithal to supply one hundred percent security for her people, and no matter how endowed and organized a country is; it can hardly be devoid of security challenges (Dasuki, 2013).

Since the 1990s, countries across the globe have seen an ever increasing number of private security companies (PSCs) operating within and across their borders. The proliferation of PSCs is a global phenomenon with far-reaching economic, political, and social implications. The private security industry is a relatively new, developing field of study that is seeing major contributions by academics, civil society, and governmental bodies (PSCs in Caribbean, 2013)

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

During the pre-colonial era, order and peace were maintained in the Nigerian societies although crime rate was minimal compared to the post-colonial period. Here after the civil war in Nigeria, the activities of criminals grew almost out of hand as a result of the proliferation of firearms which were found in all nooks and crannies of the country. This hastened the growth of crime on the one hand, and also brought about the need to further secure the urban communities where robbery and the nefarious acts of criminals were frequent. The Nigerian police played a significant role in the control of crime and curbing corruption but their effort seems not enough as there were other crimes in various areas in various societies. Take for instance the North West zone of Nigeria; the crime rate in these areas is on the high side and lives and properties are under continuous threats. It is due to the importance attached to security of lives and property that both the professional and non-professional security outfits came into existence in these urban centres.

          After about two decades of the flourishing of private security industry in North West zone of Nigeria, it appears PSCs have not received much scholarly attention in terms of the services they provide. One wonders if the seeming increase in the number of private security companies in North West zone of Nigeria is caused by the desire for improved security or other ulterior motives. It is to this regard the study desire to carry out an assessment of the role of private security companies in state in North West zone of Nigeria.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to carry out an assessment of the role of private security companies in state in North West zone of Nigeria. Other specific objectives of the study are:

1.   to examine the security situation in a state the North West zone of Nigeria

2.   to evaluate the constraints faced by private security companies (PSCs) in North West zone of Nigeria

3.   to assess the performance of the private security companies in curbing crime in North West zone of Nigeria

4.   to determine the extent to which private security companies have been helpful to the North West Zone of Nigeria

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The research questions for the study are:

1.   What is the security situation in a state in the North West zone of Nigeria?

2.   What are the constraints faced by private security companies (PSCs) in North West zone of Nigeria?

3.   What is the performance of the private security companies in curbing crime in North West zone of Nigeria?

4.   To what extent have private security companies been helpful to the North West Zone of Nigeria?

1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Hypothesis 1

H0: the security situation in the North West zone of Nigeria is low

H1: the security situation in the North West zone of Nigeria is high

Hypothesis 2

H0: the performance of the private security companies in curbing crime in North West zone of Nigeria is ineffective

H1: the performance of the private security companies in curbing crime in North West zone of Nigeria is effective

Hypothesis 3

H0: private security companies have not been helpful to the North West Zone of Nigeria

H1: private security companies have been helpful to the North West Zone of Nigeria

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study on an assessment of the role of private security companies will be of immense benefit to the states in North West zone of Nigeria in the sense that the study will examine the security situation in the North West zone of Nigeria and then compare the situation before and after the introduction of the private security companies in these state in the North West zone of Nigeria. The study will serve as a repository of information to other researchers that desire to carry out similar research on the above topic. The study will contribute to body of the existing literature on the roles of the private security companies in Nigeria.

1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY

The study will focus on Kaduna State as a state in the North West zone in Nigeria. The study will cover on the security situation in the North West zone of Nigeria and then compare the situation before and after the introduction of the private security companies in these states in the North West zone of Nigeria.

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Private Security Company: A private security company is a business corporation, which provides armed and unarmed security services and expertise to private and public clients

Crime: an action or omission which constitutes an offence and is punishable by law.

Crime Prevention: It refers to a pattern of attitudes and behaviours directed both at reducing the threat of crime and enhancing the sense of safety and security to positively influence the quality of life and to develop environments where crime cannot flourish

Formal Security Sector: Refers to police and the army which the constitution of a country formally recognizes for the defense, peace, total security and integrity of the country.

National Security: Refers to safeguarding the interest of the citizenry and providing the type of atmosphere that is free of threats that could inhibit the pursuit of the good of all. It is about the processes and measures required to preserve law and order.

Private Security: Refers to those self-employed individuals and privately funded business entities and organizations providing security–related services to specific clientele for a fee, for the individual or entity that retains or employs them, for themselves, in order to protect their persons, private property or interests from various hazards

Private Policing: This refers to the performance of policing functions by individuals or agencies other than those directly owned and controlled by the state.

Security: This means protection from physical or direct violence, and freedom from fear; a sense of safety and relative wellbeing in political, legal, socio-economic and cultural terms, it is also, a measure of protection from structural violence and security of lives and properties as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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