Kwara State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Umar J.G. Mohammed, has called for stronger collaboration between conventional security agencies and private guard companies to combat insecurity in the state.
Dr Muhammed made the call today at a Security Summit organized by the NSCDC Kwara State Command in collaboration with the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), held at the Banquet Hall, Ilorin, themed “The Role of Private Security Guards in Crime Prevention and Intelligence Gathering.”
He noted that the rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, cultism, cybercrime, and other security challenges could no longer be addressed by conventional security agencies alone.
According to him, private guard companies are often the first point of contact in the communities, when properly regulated and integrated, can provide vital intelligence and support conventional security agencies in safeguarding lives and property.
In his goodwill message, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Security, Mallam Muyeeden Aliyu, commended security agencies for their sustained efforts in ensuring peace across the state.
He assured that the state government would continue to provide an enabling environment and support security operations.
The Chairman of ALPSPN Kwara State Chapter, Amb. (Dr.) Samuel Yusuf Bola, also appealed for greater recognition and partnership for private security companies, stressing that they understand the local terrain and can play a stronger role in intelligence gathering.
Delivering a keynote paper titled “The Role of Private Guard Companies in Crime Prevention and Intelligence Gathering,” former Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Sp. Ajayi Okasanmi (rtd), echoed the call for closer collaboration among security stakeholders, noting that unity of purpose is key to achieving a crime-free society.
The summit brought together top security stakeholders, policymakers, and private guard operators to chart new strategies for tackling insecurity through intelligence sharing and operational synergy.
The NSDC needs to collaborate and synergize with other conventional sister security agencies such as the Police, Army, Navy, Air Force; and even the non-conventional, NGO, security organizations like the Vigilantes, Hunters, Amotekuns(?), OPC,etc .
The need to work with the local community opinion leaders, Obas, Baales, religious leaders, and the leaders of other community-based organizations; cannot be over-emphasized.