Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested seven persons over alleged provision of 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.
“The first category are those who had obtained PGC licence earlier but failed to renew their license till date.
“The names of the companies and their staff are: Abubakar Michael ‘m’ aged 35 and Uchenna Peter Ngwu ‘m’ aged 39 both staff of Model Security Agency, and Frank Edward Ushahember ‘m’ aged 30 of Philip Smith Security Service.
“The other category of four persons arrested are unregistered and unlicensed to operate as Private guard companies .
“The arrested guards are; Final Mark Nanmal ‘ m’ aged 32 of Globe All Security Network , Aleke Daniel Okwuchukwu ‘ m’ aged 22 of RSS Security, Okoye Felix Emeka ‘m’ aged 40 of Community Based Vigilante Group, and Chima Kelvin Azubuike ‘ m’ aged 24 , working for Feda Security.
According to Nnadi, intelligence also revealed impersonators of Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) posing as Private Guards are on the increase in the state.
He however revealed 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 Comandant, Mr. Olatunde Maku vowed to sanitize 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 fall 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
“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.
Maku reiterated the Command’s continued readiness to swoop up 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.
