The Anambra State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested 13 private security guards for illegal provision of security services without registration and operating with an expired license in the state.
According to a statement on Wednesday, the state commandant of NSCDC, Chukwudi Chikere, said the arrest followed the resolve by the Corps to rid the state of quacks and unregistered operators.
Chikere said the move will streamline the private guard business by ensuring strict compliance with the law governing the sector.
The statement was signed by the Public Relations Officer, DSC Okadigbo Edwin on behalf of the state commandant.
It said the state Commandant has ordered the Intelligence and Investigation department to conduct a thorough investigation as soon as possible before the suspects would be charged to court.
The statement read, “Today’s operation is in line with the statutory mandate of NSCDC to inspect, license, train and monitor the activities of private guards’ companies.
“Our aim is to uproot all illegal private security guards in the state thereby creating a conducive atmosphere for registered ones to operate without hindrance.
“Most of those apprehended are operating without valid registration and license by the Federal Government through NSCDC.
“With the current security challenges affecting our nation, there is a need to conduct background checks on whoever is operating or working as a private security guard.”
One of those arrested, identified as Sopuruchukwu Chinemerem, working for Accurate Guard, pleaded for mercy, saying he just resumed work with the company in January without prior information that the company was not registered.
However, the Deputy Commandant and Head of the Private Guard Company Department, Francis Obinna Nnadi, who led the operation, was quoted as saying that the Corps will not relent in its efforts in clamping down on the activities of illegal private security guards who are yet to register with the Corps as stipulated by the law.
Nnadi declared that those engaging the services of unregistered guards are endangering their lives and property saying the Corps, as part of the registration requirements, conducted background checks to obtain information on the characters and identity of key players floating the company.
Some of the illegal security outfits’ personnel arrested include Accurate Guard, Finotel Security, Halogen Security, St. Christopher Security Ltd, Albertina Security Guards, Superior Force, and Mega Guards.
