•The suspects
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested seven persons for allegedly providing illegal security services in Anambra State.
Deputy Commandant, Francis Nnadi, Head, Private Guards Company (PGC) Department who led other operatives in the operation said the arrest of the guards were in two categories, reports The Nation.
“The first category are those who had obtained PGC licence earlier but failed to renew their license till date.”
He mentioned the names of the suspects and their companies(names withheld) while the other category of four persons arrested are unregistered and unlicensed to operate as Private Guard Companies .
According to Nnadi, intelligence also revealed impersonators of Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) posing as Private Guards were on the increase in the state.
He however noted that the Command had put perpetrators of the nefarious acts on the trail with a view to apprehending them.
Parading the suspects in Awka, newly deployed Commandant, Mr. Olatunde Maku, vowed to sanitise the operations of Private Security Companies in the state.
He cautioned companies and individuals in the state to desist from establishing a private guard company without following due process.
He explained that the registration, licensing and training of Private Guard Companies fell under the purview of the NSCDC under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Act No. 2 of 2003 and as amended by Act 6 of 2007.
P“Members of the public should know that unrenewed license and unregistered Private Guard Companies are restricted from carrying out operations because it is unlawful, illegal and economic sabotage.
“Private Guard Companies form a tier of the security architecture of the nation, more so, considering the security situation of the country at the moment, we cannot afford to allow those who are not known to us to continue with their illicit business” he said.
The NSCDC boss further reiterated the Command’s continued readiness to swoop on those operating private security company without registering with the Corps, describing it as risk to national security.
“All the arrested guards are currently assisting the command in investigation after which they would be arraigned in court for prosecution,” he added.
