By Uko Etim
UYO—The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has crackdown on illegal organisation operating as Private Guard Company (PGC) in Akwa Ibom and arrested 39 suspects.
The Akwa Ibom Commandant, NSCDC, Mrs Geraldine Abetianbe, made this known while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Uyo.
Abetianbe said that the organisation, named, Uniquely Network Rescue Services was caught conducting unauthorised rigorous paramilitary-styled training and recruiting youths under false pretenses.
She said acting on intelligence, the operatives of NSCDC Akwa Ibom Command on May 29 raided the group training facility and apprehended the suspects.
The state commandant said the operation led to the arrest of the Uyo Coordinator and the recovery of wooden guns, uniforms, training manuals, and membership forms.
“During the raid, a total of 17 members of the group and 22 new intakes were arrested.
“They are currently undergoing intensive profiling to ascertain the real motive of the group as the command is taking proactive steps to curtail all subversive intentions and acts,” Abetianbe said.
The state commandant stated that preliminary investigation revealed that the group operated without Private Guard Company license as required under the NSCDC Act 2003 as amended.
She said further investigation revealed that the organisation has its headquarters outside Akwa Ibom.
Abetianbe warned that the use of wooden guns for training was a big red flag and could be a smokescreen for training militia groups, stressing that the command would not overlook the potential brooding of militias in Akwa Ibom.
“The 2027 general elections are approaching and we cannot afford to have a group recruiting young Nigerians and subjecting them to rigorous training with wooden guns, using horsewhips and so on.
“They are not registered or licensed, and this raises suspicion as to what end they are subjecting young Nigerians to paramilitary-styled training.
“The Corps strongly condemns the activities of this illegal outfit. We will not tolerate any group seeking to operate outside the law,” she said.
She reminded the public that the NSCDC remained the only agency statutorily empowered to license, regulate, and monitor Private Guard Companies in Nigeria.
The NSCDC boss urged parents to be mindful of groups their children subscribe to, to avoid being deceived into joining a militia group with nefarious motives.
She said efforts were being coordinated to arrest the national leadership of the organisation and neutralise the threat once and for all.
The commandant assured that all culpable suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations and profiling are concluded.
