Suspected illegal security guards arrested in Anambra state
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested eight illegal security guards in Anambra state, disclosing that the suspects were arrested during a recent crackdown on unlicensed private security guards in Awka, the state capital.
Penpushing reports that the Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, Olatunde Maku, made this known in a statement by the spokesperson of the agency, Edwin Okadigbo, on Friday.
The statement added that the commandant while parading the suspects warned operators of illegal private security outfits in the state to desist from the act or facing the consequences, stressing that the corps as the regulatory body of the private security guards, will continue to monitor their activities especially considering the rising insecurity in the state.
Penpushing further reports that Maku explained that the arrests were made in response to a tip-off about their activities in addition to the need to sanitise the security industry by clamping down on unlicenced private security companies in the state, he said.
The Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) stated that the suspects were apprehended following a raid carried out earlier on Thursday 25th April, 2024 by operatives of the agency in Awka, Anambra State.
Penpushing also reports that Maku stressed that the arrest of the suspects was part of the mandate of the agency and vowed to continue delivering on the mandate of the agency in Nigeria under the leadership of Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
The Commandant emphasized that the personnel were in the state in continuation of the execution of the of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) mandate, assuring that no stone will be left any unturned in discharging their responsibilities.
Penpushing reports that Maku gave identities of the suspects as include Uche Eze(34). Patrick Nwoye, (27) and Okafor Chibuike, 21 – all males and working for RSS security outfit., while others are Kingsley Asuauo,(20), Blessed Mfonu(22), Ikechukwu Emeka(21), and Amu Emmanuel(23), – also males who were providing security services in some unnamed hotels in the state.
The Commandant disclosed that the eighth suspect, Tochukwu Chukwuemeka (27), is an unlicensed member of G7 of the Anambra Vigilante Group security outfit, adding that four pump action guns with 16 live cartridges were also recovered from the suspects.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that some of the arrested suspects were impersonating the Anambra Vigilante Group while others were hired by hotels to provide security services, despite knowing that the outfits were not licensed or registered’, Maku said.
Penpushing further reports that the agency boss declared that the raid which was still ongoing will help to prevent the proliferation of illegal security outfits and reduce the risk of security breaches and criminal activities in the state.
‘With this tough stance, the (NSCDC) command aims to restore sanity in the operations of the private security sector and ensure the safety and security of all Anambra residents. This arrest and recovery of weapons is a significant achievement in the effort to reduce crime in the state,” he said.
Penpushing also reports that the Commandant urged residents of the state to report any suspicious activities or illegal private guards’ outfits to the agency for prompt action., and equally encouraged licensed private security companies to operate within the ambits of law and avoid engaging in illegal activities because any violation will attract severe sanctions.
The Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), stated that the arrested suspects are currently undergoing investigations, after which they would be charged to the competent court of jurisdiction for prosecution.
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