News
NSCDC Issues New Operational Licences to 29 Security Firms
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, has issued 29 licenses as approved by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to new private guard operators.
The licences were issued during a brief ceremony at the Corps National Headquarters, Abuja,
A statement signed by the Corps’Director of Public Relations, Olusola Odumosu, quoted the CG as charging the new operators to use their new operational licenses to contribute their quota to promoting internal security mechanisms of the nation.
He reiterated that tackling the menace of insecurity in Nigeria requires collective and collaborative effort of all government and private security agencies, including all Nigerian citizens because the new wave of crime by criminals, bandits, terrorists and insurgents is assymetric in nature and therefore deserve serious confrontational approach.
Dr Audi maintained that private guard practitioners must collaborate with the Corps especially in the area of credible intelligence gathering as the nation is bleeding from insecurity at the moment, describing the situation as very disturbing and worrisome, as such, only timely intelligence sharing with the Corps as their supervising agency could enhance internal security.
He charged the new recipients to adhere strictly to the law guiding their operations, urging them to ensure prompt annual renewal of their licences in order to avoid being clamped down as a result of violation of extant rules by the CG’s special task force set up to supervise and monitor their operations and activities across board.
Dr Audi reminded the private security operators that security business is not an all comers affair, therefore, practitioners must put internal security of the nation first and above any commercial interest. While cautioning that their licences are not transferable, he also warned them on the use of firearms.
“There would be no bearing of fire arms in your operations, it is illegal and criminal to do so, anybody caught is on his own and should be ready to face the consequences. However, you are free to visit the nearest NSCDC formation closest to you for assistance whenever you are faced with overbearing challenges” Audi said.
He emphasized on guards welfare, noting that his administration will not condone any act of maltreatment of field operators by their CEOs who often give them peanuts as salaries thereby making them to compromise and be lured into any criminal act so easily.
Audi relayed his vision to build a positive culture that would create a unique Identity for the Corps as a world class elite organisation that protects her citizens and safeguard all critical national assets and infrastructure and admonish the operators to see NSCDC as a dependable ally and partner in progress.
In the same vein, the National President, Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Mr Wilson Esagbedo who was present at the event added that the Private Guards Industry being the highest employer of labour in Nigeria according to the Bureau of Statistics is delighted to have the new recipients on board.
He advised them to take full advantage of the expanding private security guards industry to contribute their quota in order to strengthen the security architecture of the country.
Responding on behalf of the recipients, Chief Benjamin Omale of Black Tigers Security Services Limited appreciated the Commandant General for making the 1st Batch of 2022 presentation of licences to new Private Security Companies a reality. He pledged that the repients would leverage on the guidance of the Corps to advance the course of Security in Nigeria.
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, has issued a restraining order against human rights activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi, prohibiting him from further publishing, selling, distributing, or advertising his controversial book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Peter Kekemeke following an ex-parte application brought by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and managing partner at Afe Babalola’s law firm.
The court’s order extends to Farotimi’s agents, publishers, distributors, sellers, or anyone else involved in the dissemination of the book, whether in hard copy, digital formats, or through electronic or social media channels.
The injunction will remain in effect pending the determination of a motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction, filed on December 6, 2024.
Justice Kekemeke also directed the Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other security agencies to seize all physical copies of the book wherever found.
These agencies are required to submit an affidavit of compliance within 72 hours of receiving the order.
In a related case, the Oyo State High Court granted a similar interim injunction against Farotimi, barring him or any associates from further printing or distributing the book.
Justice Mufutau Adegbola issued the order after hearing an ex-parte application filed on December 9, 2024, by Adebayo Adenipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Afe Babalola’s firm.
The Oyo court directed Farotimi’s lawyers to be notified of the motion, which has been adjourned for hearing on January 7, 2025.
An Allied Air Cargo aircraft with registration number 5N-JRT, on Wednesday, skidded off Runway 22 of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, prompting a temporary shutdown of the airport.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the incident, which occurred at 10:05am, adding that five people were on board the aircraft. All passengers were safely evacuated without injury.
FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, said: “The Airport Emergency Response Team is on the scene along with accident investigators.
“The runway is being cleared and is expected to reopen for operations as soon as possible. We would like to thank the aviation community and the general public for their understanding and patience. We also request that all speculation be put on hold until the preliminary report is released by the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).”
The evacuees were taken to the FAAN clinic for medical checks as a precautionary measure. The incident has drawn the attention of aviation stakeholders, while efforts are underway to restore normal airport operations.
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged landlords and property owners not to raise rents and property prices following the inauguration of key infrastructure projects in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area.
While commissioning the Abiola-Ajayi-Ogba and Obawole-Iju-Ishaga road projects on Monday, Sanwo-Olu emphasised that these developments aim to provide relief to residents rather than add to their burdens.
“I appeal to landlords and landowners: do not increase your rents and property prices. The essence of the infrastructure built is to bring relief to the people and not burden residents,” he stated.
The newly inaugurated 643-meter road, featuring a bridge and slip roads, connects areas that were previously accessible only via makeshift wooden bridges requiring a crossing fee.
“I am committed to addressing the long-standing problems of communities, including flooding and commuting. These projects symbolise our dedication to improving Lagosians’ daily lives,” Sanwo-Olu added.
