The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Wednesday issued security operating licences to 20 Private Guard Companies (PGCs), while warning them against the bearing or use of arms.
NSCDC Commandant General (CG), Ahmed Audi, making the presentation of the licences in Abuja, said that the licences were issued because they met with the standard of operations after several procedures and scrutiny.
The Commandant General said, “The position you occupy is very central and germane to the existence of this country as long as security is concerned.
“This operating licence is not for business profits alone but an opportunity for you to contribute your quota to security.”
Ahmed Audi urged PGCs to give timely, credible and reliable intelligence, security reports to the corps for further actions
The CG declared: “You must turn in intelligence security reports on monthly basis but very important reports should be turned in immediately.
“Ahmed Audi Report to the corps all suspicious activities and movements around you.
“No service has monopoly of knowledge to tackle the insecurity the country is currently facing as we must all come together.”
He warned that the corps would not hesitate to tackle PGCs who deviated from the standard of operations.
The CG further warned that operating licences of those who refused to renew would be revoked, saying that licences were not transferable.
“Upon close expiry of your licence, you must submit your letter of renewal three months before expiry and must register all staff,” he said.
He directed NSCDC state Commands to accompany PGCs to assignments that might portend danger.
“Trainings must involve the corps and on no account should any PGC change their headquarters or offices without informing the corps,” he warned.
He charged all representatives of PGCs to think of utmost importance of the welfare of staff.
According to the CG, “Underpayment of guards is unacceptable as their welfare should be considered to receive best duty results.”
Dr Wilson Esangbedo, President of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), assured of the association’s continuous collaboration with the corps.
Esangbedo advised PGCs to do everything within their power to protect their licences by strictly following the regulations guiding their operations.
He further advised that any information that would help security agencies in the fight against criminals, should be reported immediately to avoid it being stale and unuseful.
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