By Praise Chinecherem
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command has cleared three companies out of the thirteen private security companies the command apprehended its personnel and stopped their operations in the state following raid on some private security outfits across the State.
State Commandant, Isidore Chukwudi Chikere disclosed this at the State Command Headquarters Awka after reviewing the activities of the Command.
He commended the efforts of registered Private Guard Companies in intelligence gathering, warning prospective private security operators to be law abiding in the quest for establishing any security outfit, in as much as their desire is geared towards national peace and security in the country.
He said after extensive investigation the Corps launched to ascertain the correct position of the thirteen companies , three of them namely; St. Christopher Security, Accurate Security and Halogen Security were able to perfect their operational documents in the State hence the clearance by the command for them to continue with their services.
Meanwhile, as further investigation continues, the remaining private security outfits who were not able to follow strict compliance with the laid down rules and regulations governing the establishment of Private Guard Companies will surely have a day in court.
The NSCDC State helmsman added that the Corps and Government cannot allow those who are not qualified to reap the benefits of Registered Private Security Practitioners to continue with their illegality.
“Registering and running a private security company in Nigeria demands strict compliance with the laid down rules and regulations. The slightest departure from the established regulations could lead to the deregistration of the company or revocation of licence to operate.
“Therefore, it is strongly advisable for prospective companies to retain the services of a legal practitioner to assist them with issues of regulatory compliance and filling of annual returns/report with the appropriate agencies,” he said.
According to him, apart from regulating and overseeing the private security industry, the NSCDC is the source of โdisciplinary practicesโ against the private security Company by ensuring that self-regulation does not affect end-user/client industry standards.