NSCDC crackdown: 8 illegal guards, 4 pump-action guns recovered in Anambra
By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
In a statement released on Friday, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State, Comdt. Maku Olatunde, revealed that eight illegal private guards had been arrested, with four pump-action guns recovered from them during a recent crackdown.
He used the opportunity to warn operators of illegal private security outfits in the state, stating that NSCDC as the regulatory body of the private security guards, remained committed to checkmating their activities especially in the light of the present security challenges.
The NSCDC Commandant sounded the note of warning while parading the eight suspects arrested in a crackdown on unlicensed private security guards in Awka, state capital.
According to him, the arrests were made in response to intelligence reports and the need to sanitize the security industry allowing only licensed and reputable private security companies to operate in the state.
“We are here in continuation of the execution of the NSCDC mandate, and we have not left any stone unturned in discharging our responsibilities.
“The charge given to me by Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is to go and deliver on the core mandate of Corps in Anambra State.
“These suspects were apprehended following a raid carried out earlier today, Thursday 25th April, 2024 by operatives of NSCDC in Awka, Anambra state” he said.
Comdt Maku named the first three suspects, staff of RSS, arrested at Kwata Junction Awka as: Eze Emmanuel Uche ‘m’ aged 34, Patrick Nwoye Joseph ‘ m’ aged 27 and Okafor Chibuike ‘ ‘m’ aged 21, and Tochukwu Chukwuemeka ‘ m’ aged 27, member of G7 AVG security outfit, was arrested at G7 plaza St Joseph road Awka.
The other four suspects, Kingsley Asuauo’ m’ aged 20, Blessed Mfonu,’ m’ aged 22, Ikechukwu Emeka ‘ m’ aged 21 and Amu Emmanuel ‘ m’ aged 23 were arrested providing security services to hotels.
Four pump action guns with 16 live cartridges were recovered from them, according to the NSCD state commandant.
Preliminary investigation revealed that some of the arrested suspects were impersonating the Anambra Vigilante Group ( AVG) while others were hired by hotels to provide security services, despite knowing that the outfits were not licensed or registered.
Comdt.Maku emphasized that the raid which is still ongoing will help to prevent the proliferation of illegal security outfits and reduce the risk of security breaches and criminal activities.
He vowed to clamp down on any illegal outfit, arrest and prosecute their operators, and recover illegal weapons in their possession.
“With this tough stance, the 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
“With NSCDC in place, the only agency charged with the responsibility of licensing, monitoring and the supervision of private securities companies in Nigeria, no one will operate illegally as a private guard company again in Anambra State, we are going to flush them out, and every of their activities is forbidden in the state. I want to put all illegal security outfits on notice to dismantle their operations or face the consequences” he added.
The NSCDC Anambra helmsman while urging members of the public to report any suspicious activities or illegal security outfits to the Corps for prompt action warned licensed private guard companies to operate within the bounds of the law and avoid engaging in illegal activities, as any violation will attract severe sanctions.
Consequently, all the suspects are currently undergoing investigation, after which they would be charged to the competent court of jurisdiction for prosecution, according to the state NSCDC Public Relations officer, Mr
Okadigbo Edwin.
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CRIME