The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intensified its crackdown on illicit private security operations in Enugu State.
Consequently, authorities have detained more than 20 suspects connected to unauthorized guard companies.
Commandant Dr. Elijah Willie shared these updates during a Sunday briefing, outlining three months of targeted enforcement against unlicensed operators and fee-defaulting firms.
After these intensified operations, officials discovered multiple violations, such as fraudulent impersonation of registered personnel and nonpayment of mandatory licensing fees.
In response, the NSCDC Enugu Command is preparing to host a stakeholders’ summit on April 30, 2025.
This event aims to foster dialogue with private security providers and strengthen compliance across the industry.
Dr. Willie described the forum as critical for aligning industry practices with national security objectives.
To advance regulatory goals, the command has restructured its operational framework under Dr. Willie’s leadership, enhancing surveillance capabilities across high-risk zones.
This reorganization enables quicker identification of rogue operators while protecting compliant businesses.
Security analysts note the crackdown reflects broader federal efforts to curb criminal infiltration of Nigeria’s growing private security sector.
As Nigeria’s legally designated regulator, the NSCDC maintains authority to monitor all private guard companies, conducting routine audits and personnel vetting.
Recent operations specifically targeted entities bypassing registration in Enugu’s metropolitan areas, where unregulated security services reportedly enable illicit activities.
The command confirmed ongoing profiling of detainees to determine prosecution pathways.
Additionally, authorities warned citizens against employing uncertified guards, highlighting risks ranging from property theft to collusion with criminal networks.
This enforcement surge coincides with rising public demand for accountable private security solutions amid national economic pressures.
Dr. Willie reaffirmed the NSCDC’s constitutional duty to safeguard critical infrastructure while ensuring sectoral transparency.
The command continues coordinating with sister agencies to dismantle illegal security networks statewide, deploying intelligence-driven raids on suspected operational hubs.
Real-time updates will follow through official NSCDC communication channels as investigations progress.
Observers urge sustained public vigilance while commending the corps’ proactive measures to sanitize the industry.