The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has issued operating licences to 19 Private Guard Companies including a security company owned by University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).

Commandant General of the Corps, Dr. Ahmed Audi while giving the newly registered companies their operating license, charged them to contribute their quota to the fight against insecurity by providing credible intelligence and information to the Corps and other security agencies.

He said that as a way out of the nation’s insecurity, all hands must be on deck to profer solutions to the security challenges confronting the nation.

Audi explained that the Act of Parliament empowers the Corps to monitor, supervise, licence and train operators of Private Guard Companies (PGC).

He however warned them to adhere strictly to the guidelines and conditions of operation and warned against the transfer of operating licences.

He cautioned them on the use of fire arms, impersonation of security agencies uniforms, ranks and other accoutrements.

The CG encouraged the new operators to ensure regular training and retraining of their guards while at the same time placing high premium on staff welfare to discourage compromise or connivance with criminals.

According to him, “the Corps will frown at any company that does not take care of its staff.”

“Operators should be mindful of undercutting to the detriment of the operatives.”

He commended the University of Maiduguri for taking a bold step to register its in-house security company and called on other academic institutions, banks, churches among others to emulate such good example.

This charge became necessary as the Corps plans to clamp down on violators and illegal operators of PGCs across the country.

The Corps is to also seal up unlicensed and invalid PGCs in operation.

Earlier in his remark, the National President, Association of License Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) represented by ALPSPN Vice President, Rev Cannon Mark Abere, tasked members to adhere to the guidelines of operation.

He stressed that the timely renewal of operating licences and ALPSPN membership is mandatory.

Responding on behalf other operators, Vice Chancellor, University of Maiduguri, Prof Adamu Umar, thanked the Corps and expressed delight for the approval granted to float UNIMAID Security Services.

He explained that, as an institution which operates in Boko Haram ravaged community, the University’s management resorted to establishing the outfit to complement the activities of security agencies in terms of patrol and intelligence gathering and report.

According to him, PGC is a child of necessity and assured that they will perform their duties with high sense of responsibility and discipline.

-BY SUNNY A. DAVID:

Security operatives in Anambra State, have apprehended one of the Vigilante Leaders in the State for alleged involvement in kidnappings.

Also, Four AK -47 riffles were recovered at the backyard of his house in one of the popular Communities, in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the State.

Our correspondent, gathered that the Vigilante boss, had been instrumental to majority of the kidnappings around his area in the recent time.

According to a source, who spoke with our correspondent on Thursday, “the security operatives, based on a tip off, stormed his compound on Tuesday and got him arrested.

“It was a shock to him. He has made enough money through kidnappings. Sometimes, he collects as low as 1.5-2million naira to free their victims.

“Those AK-47 riffles were hidden in a thick banana plantation at the back of his house. Our people are being kidnapped almost on daily basis without knowing that our Vigilante Leaders was behind them .

“Our God has exposed him and it has shown that nothing lasts forever. As we speak, he’s with the security operatives and some of his gang members are equally, being picked,“ the source said.

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ikenga Tochukwu (DSP), told our correspondent, that he had not received the report.

However, he said that people should know that security operatives had been on the trail of criminal elements in the State for sometime now.

He said the such operation would continue until, Anambra State was fully, recovered from criminal elements.

Nigeria’s former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd.) has called on China to assist the Africa to fight the ongoing insecurity on the continent.

Speaking at the 11th Meeting of the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum with theme: “Promoting the Spirit of China-Africa Friendship and Cooperation with Joint Action on the Global Development Initiative”, said: “Several of the bigger African economies would benefit from technology transfer to create self-sustaining ordnance and defence support capabilities. We need to know to what extent China can support these needs.”

Gusau who delivered an online remark the occasion hosted at the Zhongliu Hall of the Chinese Academy of History in Beijing, said the organisation of the event comprising intellectuals, academics, experts, and policy formulators, was timely given the increasingly significant role China-Africa relations has assumed in the development trajectory of African countries and communities.

He said: “It is very important for fora such as this to pause and take a critical look at the roles of both Chinese and African governments and institutions to detect and address policy defects, weaknesses, and errors, but also to appreciate progress.”

He added that: “It is to China’s credit that it has placed Sino-African relations as an important component of its international relations and cooperation policy. Gusau Institute recognizes the importance of the role that China plays and that is why, in collaboration with the Zhejiang Normal University, we instituted biennial bilateral conferences to examine issues of mutual interest to China and Africa.”

He noted that: “Relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), at present, are the most significant strategic link for almost all African countries, and particularly for most sub-Saharan states, because they represent a qualitative difference from past experiences. This is not merely because of the high levels of investment by China in Africa, but because the links do not mirror historical prejudices or expectations.”

He said: “In addition, the important advances China has recorded over the past few decades in economic and political development, poverty alleviation, as well as technological and military advancement are unprecedented in history in terms of rapidity and success. It provides a sound model for developing states to follow.

“Nonetheless, there are also room for improvement regarding effective collaboration between China and Africa in several areas.”

The retired Army general said: “In the security sphere, there is great appreciation for the more than 40,000 Chinese peacekeepers who have served on 24 UN missions, mainly in Africa, since the first deployment in 1989. China has an opportunity to be a positive force for peace, stability, and development, but I would like to emphasize that African citizens should be at the centre of these engagements.”

He said: “In our view, given the tremendous development of relations, especially in the economic sector, the security cooperation between China and African countries has not been given the level of attention required to enable African states improve their capacity to deal with the threats they are facing. Africa and China need to focus greater attention on the causes of conflicts. These include natural phenomena such as the effects of climate change and desertification.

“One issue in our region that deserves mention is the receding Lake Chad which has brought about displacement of communities, large scale poverty, and armed conflict.

“The security threats fuelled by religious extremism, banditry, piracy, etc. are posing existential threats to many African countries. These threats are also endangering the safety of the growing number of Chinese citizens who are involved in development projects on the Continent. As an example, in Nigeria a particular bandit is fast gaining a reputation as an expert in the kidnapping of Chinese citizens for ransom. Many projects that require Chinese expertise are now negatively affected by this emerging phenomenon.”

He said: “African states are also becoming more sophisticated in their battlespace management and require access to greater real-time reconnaissance and communications capabilities. Similarly, several of the bigger African economies would benefit from technology transfer to create self-sustaining ordnance and defence support capabilities. We need to know to what extent China can support these needs.”

He added that: “In the economic sphere, Beijing’s focus on either African resources or African markets for PRC goods is sometimes viewed with scepticism. Critics believe Africa is not seen as a partner with the PRC, but, rather, just a resource and marketplace. Allegations of the deliberate creation of debt traps, lack of transparency, and corruption abound. Therefore, for a country that possesses one of the most robust anti-corruption law and law enforcement systems, China needs to ensure that there is better probity and transparency in the granting and management of loans to African countries.

He said: “While it is absolutely expected by Africans that China should benefit from its relationships in Africa, it is also expected by African societies that the relationship should not be seen as exploitative of Africans. Otherwise, it draws comparison with the earlier colonial powers. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has to date focused heavily on raw materials extraction, both agricultural and solid minerals, and the development of transport infrastructure. It must now move to the next phase. The question is at what point would it be in Beijing’s interest to partner with African states in the development of manufacturing and processing industries on the Continent so that African states could benefit from the full value chain?”

He however lamented that: “The Russia-Ukraine conflict has for example particularly damaged most African states by not just disrupting grain supplies to Africa, but, more importantly, disrupting fertilizer supply. This jeopardizes African agricultural performance in the coming few years at a time of general African economic downturn. Africa needs a greater emphasis on local fertilizer production from its natural hydrocarbon resources. This would be critical if Africa is to meet food requirements for the PRC and other export markets.”

He said: “The overarching question that faces African states in the current political climate of an emerging new Cold War, however, is whether any treaty relationship with China could endanger an African state’s neutrality. In other words, will African states be better off refusing to get into formal alliances with the West, or with Russia, or the PRC? On the other hand, it needs to be acknowledged that China, by interacting with African governments on a higher level of equality, has given African states greater leverage and stature in dealing with European powers and the United States of America (USA).”

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has unveiled a situation room at its Osun State Command Headquarters in Oshogbo in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations and established Anti- Vote Buying Squad to work in synergy with other Anti-fraud agencies to ensure security and control of irregularities in the gubernatorial election in the state.

Unveiling the Centre a day to the election in Osogbo, Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, represented by Deputy Commandant General, Operations, Dauda Mungadi, explained that the Situation room is a proactive measure to swiftly respond to emergencies relating to security breaches and rescue probable victims of electoral violence while the Anti-vote buying squad as its name implies is to checkmate the problem of vote buying.

While appreciating the support of Justice Development and Peace Makers Centre, African Land Transport Crime Prevention Initiative and the National Democratic Institute for their collaboration, the Commandant General explained that the centre is also to help in providing update to Osun people and the public on the conduct of the election.

He said the Corps will continue to partner with all relevant organisations to ensure that security and rights of citizens are not violated.

To this effect, the Osun election Monitoring Situation Room and Rapid Response Centre will be deploying the N-Alert security platform from the Ministry of Interior with three alert categories: See Something Say Something, Records and Election Monitoring, the NSCDC helmsman explained.

For ease of access, the Corps has provided a toll-free line 080046837467 through which the public can link up with the Situation Room and furnish them with information from any part of the state.

The CG assured of NSCDC’s determination to guarantee hitch-free polls in the state and called on its to exercise discipline, remain apolitical and good ambassadors, warning anyone found perpetrating unethical conduct will certainly face sanctions.

“let me sound a note of warning to all political thugs, hoodlums, ballot box snatchers and vote buyers.

” Anyone planning to destabilize the peaceful process of the election to relocate out of Osun State or face the full wrath of the law as NSCDC will not condone any breach of peace during the election”.