NSCDC sets to flush out illegal guard operators in Gombe
…….as Private Guard Companies urge Gombe to contract its facilities for protection
The Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Gombe State command, Muhammad Mu’azu, on Thursday promised to flush out illegal guard companies operating in the state.
Mu’azu made this disclosure when a delegation of Private Guard Companies led by Member Board of Trustees Musa Umar Pindiga, paid him a visit at the command headquarters.
Our correspondent reports that no fewer than 44 PGCs are licenced with five said to be indigenously-owned in the state.
According to him, the NSCDC would not fold its arms and watch unprofessionals operate guard companies to the detriment of licenced ones.
Mu’azu said, “The role you play can’t be paid back because they play significant role. They are the watch dogs of the society of information they are part of the source of information. I commend PGC.
“Only that he said they will report to nearest police station; We made you, we licence you, we always go out to ensure you are treated well by organisation that hired you. We don’t impose you must work with,
“Presence of quack, will not be entertained, no unregistered company will be allowed to go on operating. Report those operating with licence to us, if we confirm we will take them to court.”
He decried the inability of the PGC to regularly send reports to the NSCDC, stressing that it has an impact in intelligence circulation.
The Commandant said, “I love my Commandant General he doesn’t do anything alone, he brought everyone to witness it.
Mu’azu noted the existence of a circular that could allow them to liaise with the NSCDC, to bear arms during serious operations, “When you have serious operation that requires arms to come to the command to obtain arms,” he said.
He called on Indigenous persons to go into the PGC business, lamenting the situation where only five are run Gombe persons, “It is profitable and it’s good business. Whether indigenous or not I assure of level playing field. I want to see your report everyday; I want credible intelligence from PGC, ” he added.
Mu’azu assured that he would write organisations owing PGC to pay them of services provided, adding “I will arrange a meeting between you and the governor for the engagement of your services. I will give you maximum cooperation. I respect synergy and sharing information with sister agencies especially my chairman the Police Commissioner .”
Speaking earlier, Pindiga lamented the debt owned by some organisations patronising them, adding that involvement of quacks in the system has worsened their plight, “Some companies don’t pay us our charges. There are quacks operating in Gombe State, I want to inform you that last year there was joint taskforce with PGC have been going round to fish out quacks . I hope this time around that we can jointly achieve this,” he said.
He appealed to Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, to recognise them by engaging its members in the protection of government facilities, he added”We are appealing to the state government, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya to assist PGC with patrol vans. We usually participate in ensuring security in night time. We are appealing to the state and local government to patronise recognised guards in securing agencies such as schools, state secretariat. For instance, in Bauchi government facilities are manned by PGC. Government should give us land to build our state chapter.The governor is doing well compared to other states. The security agencies are giving us the needed support to operate.To our colleagues they should double their efforts.”
