Plateau: NSCDC sets up task force to eliminate unregistered private guards outfits
NAN-H-75
NSCDC
Jos, Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Plateau Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), says it has set up a joint task force to eliminate unregistered and unlicensed private guard companies in the state.
The Commandant, Mr Solomon Olasupo, who disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Jos on Thursday, said that the NSCDC was working in collaboration with other security agencies to achieve the goal.
He said that the quest to rid the state of such unregistered outfits became necessary because criminals were hiding under the guise of being private security operatives to perpetrate all manners of attrocities.
“We have found that most of the crimes in Plateau are usually carried out by insiders claiming to be working for private companies as security operatives,” he said.
He cautioned members of the public against hiring private security guards without first confirming whether their outfits were legitimate.
“ With insurgents running away from many hideouts, people must be wary of private guards,” he said.
He expressed surprise that even the registered guards companies had often employed people they knew very little about.
“Some outfits do not even ask for referees. They just engage youths not minding their backgrounds.
“We have often found that most of the personnel are even more dangerous than the criminals they were hired to ward off,’ he said.
The commandant advised members of the public to visit NSCDC formations to ascertain the status of private security guards companies so as to avoid eventual regrets.
The commandant also frowned at reports alleging non-payment of guards’ salaries, and advised culprits to desist from that as it had “heavy consequences”.
“The non- payment of salaries leads to poor performance on beats and the multiplier effect is that such guards could be tempted to go into crime.
“This will tarnish the image of the outfit and hurt the larger society,” he said.
Mr. Edineng Usoro, Chairman, Plateau chapter of the Association of Private Guards Companies, in his remark, said that the association was working toward producing a directory containing names of licensed and duly registered companies. (NAN)
UBO/UDO/ETS
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(Edited by Udochukwu Ifionu and Ephraims Sheyin)