News
Security news from Nigeria and the region, what it means for organisations operating here, and practical guides from our team.
Security news
Stories from Nigerian and international media. Each opens on the publisher's website.
-
Nigeria records four years without piracy, says NIMASA (opens ThisDay in a new tab)
NIMASA says Nigerian waters have now gone four years without a piracy incident, crediting the 2019 anti-piracy law and successful prosecutions.
Why it matters: Lower piracy is opening Nigerian waters to more shipping and offshore work, and operators still need vetted onboard and escort security to keep it that way.
Maritime security -
The booming business of kidnapping (opens ThisDay in a new tab)
Citing an SBM Intelligence report, ThisDay says 7,825 people were kidnapped in Nigeria between July 2025 and June 2026, a 66% rise on the year before.
Why it matters: Travelling staff and executives are most exposed on the road. Managed journeys, close protection and kidnap response planning reduce that risk.
Journey management and close protection -
NSCDC trains 260 private guards to tackle emerging security threats in Abuja (opens BusinessDay in a new tab)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps trained 260 operatives from 40 private guard companies in threat detection, emergency response and modern security management.
Why it matters: The regulator expects licensed guard companies to keep training their officers. Cardinal is NSCDC licensed and retrains its officers regularly.
Guarding and access control -
US issues Nigeria travel warning over terrorism, kidnapping (opens Semafor in a new tab)
The US State Department warned its citizens about travel to Nigeria, citing terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping, and named some regions as “do not travel”.
Why it matters: International companies sending staff to Nigeria need a travel risk assessment, a briefing and a secure way to move between airport, hotel and site.
Journey management and close protection -
NASS petroleum committees dismiss petitions, back pipeline surveillance contract (opens Vanguard in a new tab)
National Assembly committees backed the pipeline surveillance arrangement, linking it to oil output reaching 1.8 million barrels a day.
Why it matters: Protecting oil and gas infrastructure is now firmly on the national agenda, raising demand for pipeline, onshore and offshore security.
Maritime, pipeline and offshore security -
Lagos Police deploy CCTV surveillance centre for intelligence-led policing (opens TechAfrica News in a new tab)
Lagos Police opened a 24-hour CCTV surveillance centre monitoring locations including the Third Mainland Bridge, to support intelligence-led response.
Why it matters: CCTV and control rooms are becoming standard across Lagos. Cardinal designs, installs and monitors these systems for private sites.
Integrated security systems
Security guides from Cardinal
Practical advice from our team for travel managers, facility managers and security buyers.
- Planning a safe road journey: a checklist for travel managers Most road incidents involving travelling staff can be traced back to something that wasn't checked before departure. Here is what a sound journey plan covers. Read the article
- CCTV, access control and guard tours: how the pieces fit together Each security system does one job well. Combined, and watched from a control room, they give you a single picture of what is happening on your site. Read the article
- Ten questions to ask before you hire a security company Price matters, but the officers at your gate are what you are really buying. These questions help you compare providers on what counts. Read the article
Talk to our team
Tell us about the site, people or journey you need to protect and we will come back to you with a plan.
Send an enquiry