Private security providers demand review of Companies Act

The National President of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr Chris Adigwu, has advocated a review of the Private Guard Companies Act of 1986.

Adigwu argued that the Act was outdated and inadequate for addressing the evolving challenges and complexities of the modern private security industry.

Speaking to Saturday PUNCH on Friday, Adigwu noted that the private security sector, which plays a vital role in supporting national security, remains underutilised due to outdated regulations and insufficient resources.

He emphasised that harnessing the sector’s potential would ease the burden on state security agencies and enhance national security.

Adigwu lamented that the sector’s full potential remained untapped, leaving a crucial gap in the protection of lives and property.

“We employ over 3.8 million private security guards across the country. We are virtually everywhere. Almost every home and commercial facility in urban areas in Nigeria engages the services of security guards.

“So, for intelligence gathering, we are closer, we are in all spaces. If fully utilised, this sector can make a huge difference,” he said.

Adigwu stressed the importance of repealing and amending the PGC Act to align with modern security needs and allow the expansion and optimisation of the sector.

“The Private Guard Companies Act of 1986, which regulates the industry, has not kept up with current security threats such as insurgency and terrorism.

“The PGC Act of 1986 is almost obsolete. When it was established, we didn’t have the challenges of insurgency, terrorism, and the high levels of criminality we face today. It needs to be repealed, and a new one enacted to meet current security realities,” Adigwu added.

He noted that one major restriction affecting the private security sector was the inability to carry weapons, unlike other similar operators such as vigilantes, Nigerian hunters, and forest security services.

Adigwu also stressed the need for better training, standardisation, and professionalism within the sector to ensure that security guards were equipped to handle modern security challenges.

The private security sector, Adigwu concluded, should be fully integrated into the nation’s security architecture.