Re: Private security: Fall out of security crises
In order to sanitize the industry, the federal government enacted decree 33 of 1989 which was later amended in 1990. The decree empowered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to supervise and enforce the contained provisions. From the write-up, does it mean that the Ministry has not been carrying out its functions? What yard stick did […]
In order to sanitize the industry, the federal government enacted decree 33 of 1989 which was later amended in 1990. The decree empowered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to supervise and enforce the contained provisions. From the write-up, does it mean that the Ministry has not been carrying out its functions? What yard stick did he use to arrive at the conclusion that the security details are not trained?
On the other hand, NSCDC has been in existence since the early 1970s. The federal government recognised the activities of the NGO and upgraded it by enacting the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Act No. 2 of 2003. It was amended in 2007. The Act, among other things, mandates the Corps to implement the Private Guards Companies Act. Since then, the NSCDC has been able to completely detect, demarcate, and destroy all identified enemies of the industry and are now making efforts to take it to the next level. In the transformation to take the industry to a greater height, there are bound to be obstacles. This is being overcome with the inauguration of the Association of Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria. The association, among other things, is charged with the responsibility of coordinating and regulating the activities of all security companies and the NSCDC and other government security agencies. The association has been working very closely with the NSCDC to get proper license and legal stand. So far, they have enjoyed a cordial relationship. If there is any area of disagreement, it is always settled amicably. Regarding the charges for registration of companies, they are made based on the category of license. One does not know how and where the writer got his figures or which category of license. If he wants to know more, he can contact the relevant body. After all, FOI bill is in force.
Instead of castigating the Nigerian private security guards, one expects critics to proffer useful solutions and not to knock heads of security agencies. Both the Nigeria Police and the NSCDC have their roles. Security challenges today are much more than what one agency can claim monopoly. All hands must be on deck. The private security under the NSCDC and the vigilante under the Nigeria Police should be allowed to work. They should all be properly equipped to enable them play effective roles.
According to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (Amendment) Act, 2007, the corps shall assist in the maintenance of peace and order and in the protection and rescuing of the civil population during the period of emergency and recommend to the Minister, the registration of private guard companies and from time to time, inspect the premises of private guard companies, their training facilities and approve same if it is up to standard.
It is therefore self seeking for anyone to now begin to denigrate these companies and even begin to call for their being put under the supervision of an entirely new body apart from the statutorily recognised body like the NSCDC.
Barr. Magga V. Maggai is National Secretary, Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN)