The Archaich Security Network: The Nigerian Security Agencies in the 21st Century

          The definition and perception of security in the past two decades have shifted from the old paradigm of protection from physical arms and injuries. The new paradigm focuses on food security and right to decent living for all humans in the world.  The developed countries of the world had made great leap forward both in the old and new paradigm. In Nigeria, emphasis remains on the old conception of security and stagnancy characterises our security system. The world has changed greatly in the last two decades in terms of security and governance, but the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and State Security Service (SSS) have failed to move or catch up with these changes. Their inability to messure up with these changes arises out of the chaotic recruitment process, lack of modern security apparatuses, and  poor quality of staff personnels have almost paralysed the agencies charged with the security responsibilities. The series of bombing by the fanatical sect, Boko Aram and the and armed robbery in the country have exposed the wicknesses in our security system as a nation.This seemingly hopeless security situation is further exacerbated by the complicities of those charged with the nations security in many kidnappings, robberies and perhaps the bombings. Not even the Nation's capital, Abuja is insulated from these security threats which appears to render our security agencies helpless in dealing with these threats. A nation that could not protect itself from the internal security threats is headed towards failure. That the Nigerian Security system needs overhauling to reflect the realities of the 21st century is self evident. The nation's security agencies needs to justify the billions of naira of tax payers money which have entered their purse in the name of defence and security. The central piece of this study attempts a critic of the Nigerian security agencies and concludes that, they are all outdated and unfit for the security challenges of the 21st century. Their challenges is not strictly their failure, but more importantly the failure of governance, misplaced priorities and visionless leadership.