Emma Elekwa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, will start cracking down on any illegal or unlicensed operators within the state.
State Commandant Maku Olatunde diclosed this during a strategic meeting with the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, ALPSPN, Anambra Chapter at the State Command in Awka.
The meeting was to address persistent operational lapses, non-compliance and unprofessional conduct by some unregistered private security outfits.
Addressing participants, Maku Olatunde warned that unlicensed private security companies would be rounded up without hesitation.
He said that amid the country’s current security challenges, private security practitioners play a vital role in Nigeria’s security framework.
According to him, NSCDC’s statutory responsibility covers the registration, licensing, training, regulation, and supervision of Private Guard Companies nationwide.
He, and vowed to enforce professional standards without compromise.
He said, “It has come to our notice that some individuals masquerading as private security practitioners in Anambra State are engaging in the illegal deployment of guards to both public and private facilities.
“This is in outright disregard for the Private Guard Companies Act and the operational guidelines issued by the Corps.
Unacceptable trend
“This trend is unacceptable and portrays the noble profession in a bad light.
“The Command will therefore soon embark on cracking down on any illegal or unlicensed operators found within the state.”
Maku commended the leadership and members of ALPSPN Anambra Chapter for their dedication to strengthening private security operations within the state.
The NSCDC State boss warned that the Command remains firm in upholding its supervisory mandate.
“Private security operators are critical partners in national security. Your role in complementing government efforts cannot be overemphasized.
“However, this partnership must be built on discipline, integrity, professionalism, and strict compliance with regulations,” he stated.
Maku called on members of ALPSPN to strive for excellence and comply with the establishment acts and operational standards.
He noted that the future of their relevance to the nation requires collective cooperation, compliance, and coordination.
The State Commandant urged them to report defaulting companies, harmonize their activities, and elevate the private security industry to have a more prominent impact in the state.
“The NSCDC remains committed to creating a safe and enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
“We will sanitize the private security sector and ensure that only qualified, law-abiding, and professional operators function within Anambra State,” he vowed.
Operational monitoring
Chairman of ALPSPN, Anambra State Chapter, Dr. Okon Antai, appreciated the efforts of the NSCDC Anambra State Command in monitoring their activities.
He thanked the Command for organizing the stakeholders’ forum to deliberate and proffer ways of standardizing the activities of licensed Private Security Companies beyond mere profit maximization.
The ALPSPN leadership pledged full cooperation with the NSCDC.
He also assured that members would comply with all directives to maintain professionalism and uphold the integrity of the private security industry in the state.
Earlier, Deputy Commandant, Cecelia Okoye- Iheme, Head of the Command’s Private Guard Company Department, emphasized the importance of licensed Private Security Practitioners to national security.
She called on them to provide the Command with timely and relevant intelligence regarding all critical national, state, and local government assets and infrastructure within their domain, as they are often more familiar with the local communities in their operations.
The Deputy Commandant reaffirmed the department’s commitment to sanitizing the private security sector and ensuring that only qualified and law-abiding operators function within the state.
