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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

A’Ibom NSCDC smashes alleged militia training network, arrests 39

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Akwa Ibom State arrested 39 individuals suspected of operating an illegal private guard company.
  • The group, 'Uniquely Network Rescue Services,' was allegedly conducting unauthorized paramilitary-style training using wooden guns and uniforms.
  • The NSCDC warned that such activities could be a front for militia training, especially with upcoming elections, and stressed its role in licensing private guard companies.

Authorities in Akwa Ibom State have dismantled an alleged illegal organization operating as a private guard company, arresting 39 suspects. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) announced the crackdown on 'Uniquely Network Rescue Services,' which was reportedly conducting unauthorized paramilitary-style training and recruiting youths under false pretenses.

During the raid, a total of 17 members of the group and 22 new intakes were arrested.

— Geraldine AbetianbeNSCDC Akwa Ibom Commandant detailing the number of arrests made during the clampdown.

Geraldine Abetianbe, the NSCDC Akwa Ibom Commandant, stated that acting on intelligence, operatives raided the group's training facility on May 29. The operation led to the arrest of 17 existing members and 22 new recruits. Recovered items included wooden guns, uniforms, training manuals, and membership forms. The suspects are undergoing profiling to determine the group's true motives.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the organization lacked the required Private Guard Company (PGC) license, as mandated by the NSCDC Act. Abetianbe expressed serious concern over the use of wooden guns for training, calling it a significant red flag that could indicate militia training. She warned that such activities are particularly alarming given the proximity of the 2027 general elections.

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.

— Geraldine AbetianbeNSCDC Akwa Ibom Commandant expressing concern about the potential for militia training ahead of elections.

"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," Abetianbe said. She emphasized that the NSCDC is the sole agency statutorily empowered to license and regulate PGCs in Nigeria and will not tolerate groups operating outside the law. Parents were urged to be vigilant about the organizations their children join.

The corps strongly condemns the activities of this illegal outfit. We will not tolerate any group seeking to operate outside the law.

— Geraldine AbetianbeNSCDC Akwa Ibom Commandant stating the corps' stance against illegal organizations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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