Imo Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested five men for allegedly operating an illegal private security guard company in the state.
NSCDC Commandant in Imo, Mr Michael Ogar, confirmed the arrest while parading the suspects in Owerri on Thursday.
Ogar said that the suspects were arrested for non implementation of the Federal Government’s Private Guard Companies Act which stipulated that a person must be licensed by Government before he could be allowed to operate a private guard company.
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He added that the suspects, who claimed to be working for a security guard company, had been operating in neighbouring states when the long arm of the law caught with them in Imo.
According to him, the suspects attempted to resist arrest, although they were unarmed, but were overpowered by officers of the NSCDC and subsequently arrested on Wednesday, March 2.
He noted that it was wrong for the suspects or any duly licensed private security guard company to put on body armour, adding that only military and paramilitary agencies who bore arms were empowered by law to put on body armour.
Ogar however, cautioned companies and private individuals in the state to desist from patronizing unlicensed operators of private guard companies as according to him, the risks far outweighed the advantages.
“The suspects have confessed that they have been providing security to companies in the state for over one month even when they have not been licenced by Government.
“This is illegal as it is risky for those who hire their services and Nigerians must beware of impersonators.
“Once we’re done with investigation, they will be prosecuted accordingly,” Ogar said.
Speaking, one of the suspects, Mr Christian Esomonu claimed that the company had already been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
Esomonu, who identified himself as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, however, said that he had yet to receive an operating license although he had intentions to apply for one. (NAN)
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