Awka – The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has called on residents, companies and individuals in the State to desist from patronizing unlicensed Private Guard Companies.
According to the command, such outfits are liable to increasing criminality in the State.
The Anambra State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr. Vincent Ogu, made this known on Tuesday, when he received in audience, the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Anambra State Chapter, at the Command Headquarters in Awka.
Commandant Ogu commended the collaborative efforts of the association as a grassroots security network in providing credible intelligence to the Corps and other security agencies to enable them nip crime in the bud.
He encouraged them not to relent as the nation appreciates and expects more from them.
“The need for private security firms to operate professionally in line with government’s expectations and embrace best standard operational practice, cannot be over-emphasized. That is why the Command is ever ready to partner with the association to flush out quacks within their ranks, in order to sanitize the industry, as we look forward to a formidable industry driven by expertise and integrity,” Ogu emphasized.
The Anambra NSCDC boss harped on the need for the security firms to abide by the set standards and regulations, as well as ensure renewal of their operating licenses, to enable the Corps keep tabs with their activities.
“Renewal of licenses is the only way we can continually monitor and ensure that security guards operate professionally. It will also enable us provide training and technical support to the firms, which will overall improve the security of the state. It is very important that our people stop hiring unlicensed private security guards as their operations are usually unprofessional,” he noted.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of ALPSPN, Anambra State Chapter, Dr. Okon Autan, told the Commandant that the visit was to welcome him to the State, familiarize him with their operation and consolidate on the cordial working relationship between the association and the Corps, as the statutory regulatory body for Private Guard Companies in Nigeria.
Mr. Okon said the visit will deepen collaboration, growth, innovation, lawful and best practices in the operations of Private Security Firms in the State.
He appealed to the Command to intensify its efforts and ensure that quacks in the industry are completely eradicated, as they pose serious threat to the existence of Private Guard Companies, creating bad name and image for licensed operators.
“We wish to commend the efforts being put in place by NSCDC to put an end to the influx of unregistered practitioners, who deliberately refused to do the right thing. On our part, we will support such initiatives to be able to sanitize our practice in the state,” he said.
