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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has fumed at the “proliferation” of unregistered and unlicensed private guard companies in Imo State.
The state corps commandant, Mr Matthew Ovye, stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting between the command and representatives of PGCs in Owerri on Wednesday.
The commandant, who bemoaned the activities of such unregistered PGCs, said that criminal elements
were taking advantage of their proliferation to commit crimes, while disguising as PGCs and deceiving unsuspecting members of the public.
Read Also: Illegal Security Services: NSCDC Arrests Seven In Anambra
He urged the leadership of the PGCs to “quickly report any persons found wanting to the NSCDC for appropriate action”.
He described PGCs as “building blocks” for security, considering their closeness to the grassroots and urged them to regularly provide security reports to the command as their regulatory body.
According to him, the meeting was aimed at fostering synergy between NSCDC and PGCs by availing the companies the opportunity for direct interaction with officers and men of the command.
He appreciated the corps Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, for putting up reforms to address the challenges faced by PGCs and urged Imo people to keep faith with the leadership of the NSCDC.
The Eastern Updates recalls that a fortnight ago, seven individuals found themselves in custody as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) cracked down on the alleged illegal provision of security services in Anambra State.
Head of the Private Guards Company (PGC) Department, Deputy Commandant Francis Nnadi, disclosed that the arrest of the guards took place in two categories, a detail shared by him as he led the operatives in the operation.
“The first category are those who had obtained PGC licence earlier but failed to renew their license till date.
While leading the operation, Deputy Commandant Francis Nnadi openly revealed the names of the suspects and their companies (names withheld), emphasizing that the other group of four arrested individuals operated as unregistered and unlicensed Private Guard Companies.