The President of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr. Chris Adigwu, has called for a revision of the Private Guard Companies Act of 1986. Adigwu expressed concerns that the current Act is outdated and insufficient to address the ever-changing demands of the contemporary private security industry.
In an interview, Adigwu highlighted the crucial role played by the private security sector in supporting national security. He emphasized the need to update regulations and allocate more resources to unleash the sector’s full potential, which could alleviate the burden on state security agencies and bolster national security.
Adigwu pointed out that despite employing over 3.8 million private security guards nationwide, the sector’s capabilities are not fully utilized, creating a gap in safeguarding lives and property. He stressed that with proper utilization, the sector could significantly contribute to intelligence gathering and enhance overall security.
The President underlined the urgency of amending the PGC Act to align with contemporary security challenges, such as insurgency and terrorism. He advocated for the repeal of the outdated Act and the enactment of a new one that addresses current security realities.
Adigwu also highlighted the need for the private security sector to undergo improvements in training, standardization, and professionalism to effectively tackle modern security threats. He emphasized the sector’s integration into the country’s overall security framework for optimal performance.