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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

NSCDC Arrests 39 Suspects, Shuts Illegal Security Firm in Akwa Ibom

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested 39 suspects and shut down an illegal private guard company in Akwa Ibom State.
  • The company, Uniquely Network Rescue Services, operated without a license, conducting unauthorized paramilitary-style training and recruitment.
  • The NSCDC warned against the use of wooden guns for training, citing potential links to militia groups, and emphasized its role in licensing and regulating private guard companies.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has taken decisive action in Akwa Ibom State, arresting 39 individuals and shutting down an unlicensed organization operating as a Private Guard Company (PGC). The group, identified as Uniquely Network Rescue Services, was found conducting unauthorized, rigorous 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 Geraldine Abetianbe detailed the number of arrests made during the operation.

Acting on intelligence, NSCDC operatives raided the group's training facility on May 29. During the operation, 17 members and 22 new recruits were apprehended. Recovered items included wooden guns, uniforms, training manuals, and membership forms. The Akwa Ibom Commandant, Mrs. Geraldine Abetianbe, stated that the suspects are undergoing profiling to determine the group's true motives and to preempt any subversive activities.

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 for the brewing of militias in Akwa Ibom.

— Geraldine AbetianbeCommandant Abetianbe expressed concern over the training methods used by the illegal group.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Uniquely Network Rescue Services lacked the required PGC license mandated by the NSCDC Act 2003. Further inquiries indicated the organization's headquarters is located outside Akwa Ibom. Commandant Abetianbe highlighted the use of wooden guns during training as a significant concern, warning that such practices could be a cover for training militia groups.

They are not registered or licensed, and this raises suspicion as to what end they are subjecting young Nigerians to paramilitary-style training.

— Geraldine AbetianbeCommandant Abetianbe questioned the motives behind the unregistered group's training activities.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the NSCDC stressed the importance of preventing unregistered groups from subjecting young Nigerians to intense training with potentially harmful methods. Abetianbe reiterated that the NSCDC is the sole statutory body responsible for licensing, regulating, and monitoring PGCs in Nigeria. She urged parents to be vigilant about the organizations their children join, warning against recruitment into militia groups with nefarious intentions. The NSCDC assured that all culpable suspects would face legal charges upon completion of investigations.

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

— Geraldine AbetianbeCommandant Abetianbe stated the NSCDC's stance against illegal security outfits.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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