The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Kwara State Chapter, Dr. Samuel Yusuf Bola, has said the association’s ongoing awareness campaign is aimed at educating the public on the critical role licensed private security practitioners play in safeguarding lives and property.
Speaking during the awareness walk in Ilorin, Dr. Bola explained that the initiative was designed to sanitize the private security industry and help members of the public distinguish licensed security operators from illegal and unregistered guards.
According to him, licensed private security personnel serve as an important complement to government security agencies by protecting lives and property across communities.
He appealed to the Federal Government to consider reviewing existing laws to permit licensed private security operators to carry arms, describing them as “a civilian support force” that works alongside conventional security agencies. He also urged the Kwara State Government to support private security companies with patrol vans to enhance their operational effectiveness.
Dr. Bola disclosed that there are 76 licensed private security companies operating in Kwara State, all duly licensed and regulated under the supervision of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC).
He advised residents to avoid engaging unlicensed or quack security outfits, stressing that only registered and licensed operators can guarantee professional and accountable security services.
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“This awareness campaign is to educate the public on who to engage for the protection of their lives and property. We want the state government to recognize the vital role we play and grant the association an audience to discuss issues affecting the sector,” he said.
Also speaking, Ajayi Okasanmi, a retired Superintendent of Police (SP), former Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Kwara State Police Command, and a private security company owner, said the private security industry was established to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in protecting lives and property.
He noted that because government security agencies cannot be present everywhere at all times, licensed private security companies help bridge the gap while operating under the regulatory oversight of the NSCDC.
Okasanmi explained that becoming a licensed private security operator involves a rigorous screening process. According to him, applicants undergo security vetting by the Department of State Services DSS, the Federal Ministry of Interior, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC before receiving the necessary licences.
He added that recruitment into licensed private security companies also follows strict procedures, including background investigations, biometric data capture, criminal record checks, and verification of guarantors.
“These measures ensure that only credible individuals are employed. That is why you rarely find our personnel involved in criminal activities or having issues with the police or other security agencies,” he stated.
Representing the Kwara State Commandant of the NSCDC, the Deputy Commandant of Corps (DCC) in charge of Operations, Ayelabowo Olusegun Isaac, emphasized the need for thorough background checks in the recruitment of private security personnel.
He warned operators against employing undocumented foreign nationals or accepting non-Nigerians as guarantors, noting that some individuals may conceal their identities to gain employment and establish illegal residency in Nigeria.
On the call for licensed private security personnel to bear arms, Isaac explained that such a decision can only be made through legislation by the National Assembly, as it is beyond the powers of the NSCDC or any state authority.
