20 Private Security Firms Shut In Lagos By NSCDC

Twenty private guard companies have been shut down in the past five days for operating illegally in Lagos State, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps has said.

Disclosing this at a press conference on Thursday, Commandant of the Lagos state command of the NSCDC, Clement Adesuyi, said the action became necessary due to the present security challenges facing the country.

Adesuyi said it was part of the constitutional role of the corps to provide training for private guard companies as well as regulating their activities.

“One of our key functions is the registration of private guard companies and the constitution empowers us to regulate their activities as well as issuing licences to such companies.

“Since Monday, we have been going round Lagos and we have sealed off at least 20 errant firms. Some of the firms are not registered at all, while others have expired licences. We will continue to carry out surprise checks and anyone found wanting will face the law.”

Adesuyi therefore urged private security companies to go through the proper channel of registration and urged members of the public to hire personnel only from registered private security firms.

He added that it remained a requirement for all private guard firms to have at least a retired security agent on its board because of the nature of the business, and their experience in the field.

“It remains a requirement for every private security guard company to have at least a retired security agent as a member of its board of directors or its owner because of the nature of the business.

“It is also necessary that all other requirements are met before establishing such a firm because the NSCDC will inspect all firms to make sure that they are not found wanting. Security is serious business and it must be treated as such.”