……..Moves To Enhance National Security Architecture.
FIC Report (Abia State) – The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
This mandate is encouraged through effective regulation of private security operations, improved professionalism and enhanced collaboration with licensed Private Guard Companies (PGCs) across the state.
The State Commandant, NSCDC Abia State Command, Commandant Chukwuemeka Odimba Nicholson, made this known during the 2026 Private Guard Companies Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum held at the Command Headquarters in Umuahia.
The forum, themed “Operational Efficiency: Strengthening Regulation, Effective Management of Private Guard Companies.
Addressing Emerging Security Challenges and Enhancing Service Delivery,” brought together private security operators, industry stakeholders and senior officers of the Corps to chart a new course for effective private security management in Abia State.
Commandant Odimba said the engagement underscores the Federal Government’s determination, through the NSCDC, to strengthen regulatory compliance, improve operational standards and ensure that all licensed private guard companies strictly adhere to established laws, professional ethics and best practices in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He explained that the forum was organised to deepen cooperation between the NSCDC and private security operators, address emerging security challenges, enhance service delivery and reinforce the strategic role of private security companies as partners in safeguarding lives and property, intelligence gathering, surveillance, access control and crime prevention.
The Commandant stressed that with the evolving security landscape, including the emergence of state policing initiatives and other community-based security structures, private guard companies must reposition themselves through continuous training, discipline, improved staff welfare, adoption of modern security technologies and strict compliance with regulatory requirements.
Expressing concern over the low level of intelligence reports from private security operators despite their presence in banks, schools, hotels, residential estates and other strategic locations, he urged operators to remain vigilant and promptly provide credible intelligence to security agencies, assuring them that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
Commandant Odimba,however, directed all private guard companies operating in Abia State to renew expired licences, complete their documentation with the NSCDC and register with the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Abia State Chapter, on or before the end of July 2026.
He warned that enforcement operations would commence immediately after the deadline, with defaulters liable to arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
Delivering the keynote address, the Head of the Private Guard Companies Department, Deputy Commandant Simon Azubuike Okere, described the private security industry as an indispensable partner in Nigeria’s security framework, complementing conventional security agencies by protecting businesses, financial institutions, educational and healthcare facilities, residential estates and other critical national assets.
He identified professionalism, accountability, quality training, ethical conduct, technological innovation, regulatory compliance, effective supervision and intelligence gathering as critical pillars for efficient private security operations, urging operators to prioritise personnel welfare, discipline and innovation.
Speaking on behalf of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Abia State Chapter, the Chairman, Chief Ndubuisi Iheanacho, commended the NSCDC for organising the forum and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting the Federal and State Governments in protecting lives and property through intelligence sharing, professionalism and effective collaboration with security agencies.
The forum concluded with participants resolving to strengthen partnership with the NSCDC, train personnel on the resolutions reached, uphold professional standards and ensure full regulatory compliance. Private guard companies were also directed to present samples of their official uniforms at the next stakeholders’ meeting for inspection.
The stakeholders’ engagement further demonstrated the pivotal role of the NSCDC as the Federal Government’s regulatory authority for the private security industry, reinforcing its mandate of promoting professionalism, accountability and coordinated security management in support of national peace, public safety and sustainable development.
Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu.
FIC Correspondent: Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
NSCDC
15th July 2026.
