* Warns state commandants against rivalry with sister security agencies
By Teddy Nwanunobi
Abuja (Sundiata Post) — The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, has warned that it will sanction any private guards company that ignores its invitation for training programmes.
The Oyo State Commandant of NSCDC, John Adewoye, said this at a three-day training programme organised by the Corps for private guards companies in Ibadan.
The theme of the training was “Strengthening Private Guards Companies for National Security.’’
Adewoye, who was represented by his deputy, Adisa James, said that it had come to the knowledge of the Corps that some companies had rejected the NSCDC invitation for training, while some sent in guards below the fixed minimum number required for representation.
He said the Corps would not hesitate to sanction any private guards company found wanting in the area of representation.
Adewoye noted that the Constitution empowers the NSCDC to organise workshops and training courses for private guards companies.
He said the Corps, in the course of monitoring, also discovered a lot of lapses by the guards as a result of lack of training and inadequate training facilities.
“It is noted that many companies do not have adequate training facilities while some have none at all.
“This does not only constitute a danger to the public, but it is also an unfair deal to the clients when you dispatch ill-equipped guards to them.
“It is mandatory for the guards to be trained properly before deployment,’’ Adewoye said.
He advised the companies to put in place adequate training facilities to be able to train their guards properly.
Adewoye said the training programme would ensure uniformity of training standards across the spectrum.
Meanwhile, the Corps has warned state commandants not to engage in rivalry with other security agencies in the country.
The Commandant General of the Corps, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, who promised that the organisation will no longer be involved in fracas with sister agencies, assured that the Corps will always show them peace in all ways.
He Commandant General said this while presenting his keynote address at the opening ceremony of a workshop on the significance of conflict prevention, peace building and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) on peaceful co-existence in Nigeria, organised in collaboration with UNDP in Abuja on Tuesday.
“Any state command that fight with any security agency in the country henceforth, I will make sure that the state command is dealt with. If they are fighting you show them peace, show them that we are being paid by the same government,” he said.
Gana made it clear that his leadership had resolved to work with all other security agencies in harmony so as to achieve the main mandate of security of lives and property in the country.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony of the workshop, the UNDP Mandisa Mashologu said the training could go a long way to help address various crisis facing the country.
Mashologu, who was represented by his Peace and Development Adviser, Takwa Zebulon Suifon, revealed that in 2016 alone, 12000 conflicts were resolved by the NSCDC, which he said had helped to reduce violence in the country.
While noting that there were much more to be done as Nigeria continues facing violent conflict, he said the selected officers attending the training were expected to help the country address the situation.
