The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps says it has arrested 39 suspects following a clampdown on an illegal organisation operating as a Private Guard Company in Akwa Ibom State.
The NSCDC Akwa Ibom Commandant, Mrs Geraldine Abetianbe, disclosed this to newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday.
She said that the organisation, named Uniquely Network Rescue Services, was caught conducting unauthorised rigorous paramilitary-style training and recruiting youths under false pretences.
The Commandant said that, acting on intelligence, the operatives of NSCDC Akwa Ibom Command raided the group training facility on May 29 and apprehended the suspects.
The state commandant said the operation led to the arrest of the Uyo Coordinator as well as the recovery of wooden guns, uniforms, training manuals, and membership forms.
“During the raid, a total of 17 members of the group and 22 new intakes were arrested.
“They are currently undergoing intensive profiling to ascertain the real motive of the group as the command is taking proactive steps to curtail all subversive intentions and acts,” she said.
According to her, preliminary investigations revealed that the group operated without a PGC licence as required under the NSCDC Act 2003, as amended, adding that further investigation revealed that the organisation has its headquarters outside Akwa Ibom.
Abetianbe, consequently, warned that the use of wooden guns for training was a big red flag and could be a smokescreen for training militia groups, stressing that the command would not overlook the potential for the brewing of militias in Akwa Ibom.
“The 2027 general elections are approaching, and we cannot afford to have a group recruiting young Nigerians and subjecting them to rigorous training with wooden guns, using horsewhips and so on.
“They are not registered or licensed, and this raises suspicion as to what end they are subjecting young Nigerians to paramilitary-style training.
“The Corps strongly condemns the activities of this illegal outfit; We will not tolerate any group seeking to operate outside the law,” she said.
She reminded the public that the NSCDC remained the only agency statutorily empowered to license, regulate, and monitor PGCs in Nigeria.
She urged parents to be mindful of the groups their children subscribe to, to avoid being deceived into joining a militia group with nefarious motives.
The commandant assured that all culpable suspects would be charged in court as soon as investigations and profiling were concluded.
NAN