By Michael Ofulue
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The Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Alhaji Abdullah Gana has directed the constitution of a Joint Task Force (JTF)  between the Corps and the various state chapters of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN).

The Hope Metro authoritatively gathered that the move is part of security measures to curb the proliferation of illegal private guard companies in Nigeria,

A statement signed by the Ondo State NSCDC Public Relations Officer,  Mr Samuel Oladepo,  said each chapter has been mandated to constitute the JTF, in compliance with the directive of NSCDC helmsman

The State commandant of NSCDC in Ondo state, Mr Pedro Awili Ideba, while inaugurating the Taskforce at the command’s headquarters, Akure, said the alarming rate at which illegal and unlicensed private guard companies are operating in the state, if not check portends serious threat to national security.

He further said that the joint task force have the mandate to stamp out all illegal and unlicensed private guard companies operating in the state without mercy.

He tagged the JTF operations as ‘Operation No Mercy’, stressing that it is mandatory for all the operators of private guard companies in the state to have valid license, otherwise they will be arrested and prosecuted.

The chairman of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Ondo state chapter, Mr Mathew Akinbileje, said the association will partner with NSCDC for smooth and easy enforcement of the JTF mandate.

According to the statement,  the  representative of Senior Special Assistant  to the Governor on  Security, Prince Tunde Akande said government is committed to ensuring security of lives and property of citizens of the state and as well collaborating with NSCDC in ensuring that only legal and licensed private guard companies remain in the business of providing private security guards to the people of Ondo state.

The Head of PGC Department, Deputy Commandant A.P Egurefa said that the JTF enforcement operations across the state will commence immediately just as he urged the general public to assist them with useful and adequate information.