NSCDC licences 93 private guard companies in 2023.

In 2023, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) gave operational permits to 93 private guard companies (PGCs) in an effort to fortify the country’s defences.

Ahmed Audi, the NSCDC Commandant General (CG), made this announcement on Wednesday during a press conference at the Corps Headquarters in Abuja.

According to Audi, 92 of the 1,412 PGCs that the Corps registered had their nationwide registrations sealed as a result of various operational infractions.

On the other hand, he did mention that 24 of the PGCs that were in default were opened during the course of the review year.

“We unsealed 24 after they complied with our instructions and corrected the reasons they were sanctioned, as well as met certain legal requirements.”

He pointed out that the NSCDC had carved out a special place for itself in the areas of licencing, supervision, training, and monitoring of PGC activities.

Audi stated that the widespread presence of PGCs across the nation has allowed them to fulfil their promise of enhancing security measures.

As a result, security personnel are able to use them as a means of obtaining grassroots intelligence.

“They have been incredibly helpful, and we have been receiving valuable security information from them, which has contributed to our improved country security. As a result, we have made fantastic progress.”

Before the Corps took over regulation, the CG claims that quacks ran the Nigerian PGC industry.

The NSCDC’s intervention, however, brought the industry back to a reasonable level of sanity.

“Making it more professional and robust, we have eliminated quacks in the field and welcomed back veterans, including those from the intelligence security community.”