By KELECHI OGUNLEYE

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has issued operational licences to 50 newly registered Private Guard Companies (PGC).

The licences were issued to the PGC operators on Wednesday at the NSCDC Headquarters in Abuja.

NSCDC Commandant General (CG) Ahmed Audi, during the presentation urged the beneficiaries to leverage on security experiences gained while in service.

“This task is not new to most of you as the operational guideline indicates that one of the company directors must have experiences from the security sector or intelligence community,” he said.

Audi advised the PGC operators to strictly adhere to all regulations guiding the operations of PGC in Nigeria.

He warned that on no count should any PGC head office or branch be relocated without informing the corps, as this could lead to licence revocation.

“You must know and accept that NSCDC is your regulator in accordance with the corps mandate and you must renew your licenses three months before expiration if not there are penalties.

“Licenses are not transferable and you are not allowed to bear firearms unless and except otherwise, no use of ranks, uniforms of conventionary security organisations,” he said.

The NSCDC boss warned against under declaration of guards number, noting that there are stringent sanctions for defaulters.

“ Guards’ welfare is paramount; when you pay your guards well they will not compromise and you will get their loyalty,” he added.

Audi, while describing PGC’s as probably the largest employers of labour, urged them to leverage on their spread and number to provide credible intelligence information to the corps thereby ensuring national security.

“All services including civilians must come together to cooperate and collaborate and take coordinated actions to nip this asymmetric conflict,” Audi said.

He emphasised the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Oni’s passion towards professionaling the private guards industry through rigorous screening and vetting process.

The CG warned against intimidation of the civil populace, adding that the corps will be monitoring the activities of PGCs across the country.

The President, Association of Licensed Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALSPN), Mr Chris Adigun said that it was paramount for every PGC in Nigeria to register with the association.

Adigun said that the association served as an interface between the government and PGCs as it was impossible for each PGC to have access to the government.

“In an attempt to standardise the industry, we stand in the gap between the government and PGCs as the government can’t speak to everyone,” he said.

“I hope you will not just be a licence collector but add value not just to the company and the security architecture but Nigeria as a whole.

“What you are starting today is a business the country needs to reduce crime and better collaboration will help nip crime in the bud,” Adigun said.

Mr Ayodeji Haastrub, Chairman of one of the newly licensed PGC, Haastrub Haven Guards Protocol Ltd, appreciated the Federal Government for approving the issuance of the licences.

Haastrub said that as grassroot security operatives, strategic intelligence gathering was of major priority to PGC operators.

“We will ensure our men gather first respondent information which will help us curb insecurity.

“I urge my colleagues to key into the germane guidelines of the corps.

“A license is a test of integrity on a person and so the licence given today can be revoked so rules set out should be followed to the latter,” he said. (NAN)