By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command, has called for stronger collaboration between statutory security agencies and licensed private security companies to address emerging security threats and improve the protection of lives and property.

The State Commandant, Mr Olariche Jonathan Ogueri, made the call while declaring open the 2026 Private Security Companies Summit in Uyo on Wednesday. He was represented by his deputy, Joseph Gbarasung.The summit, organised by the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) in partnership with the NSCDC Akwa Ibom Command, was held under the theme, “Combating Insecurity and Building Capacity Among Private Security Practitioners in Akwa Ibom State.”Ogueri described the gathering as timely, stressing that the increasingly complex nature of security challenges required a coordinated approach involving government security institutions and private security operators.

He urged private security guards to establish closer working relationships with the NSCDC and other security agencies through prompt intelligence sharing, particularly by reporting suspicious movements, criminal activities and other potential threats.The commandant also challenged owners of private security companies to invest in continuous staff training and professional development to improve operational competence and ensure that their personnel could respond appropriately to security situations.In his keynote address, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, Koko Essien (rtd), called on private security companies to embrace modern technology and strengthen their surveillance capabilities in response to evolving security threats. He also urged the NSCDC to improve regulatory oversight and ensure transparency in the registration of private security operators.

Essien further advocated a review of the legislative framework governing private security operations and registration procedures to address emerging challenges and eliminate regulatory loopholes.Earlier, the Akwa Ibom Chairman of ALPSPN, Etetim Onuk, said security could not be effectively achieved through isolated efforts, emphasising the importance of cooperation between private security practitioners and statutory agencies.He described the summit as particularly significant ahead of the forthcoming general elections, noting that intelligence gathering and timely information sharing would be essential to preventing violence and maintaining peace, especially in rural communities.Onuk urged private security operators to support lawful security operations by providing credible information to relevant authorities.

He also warned practitioners against involvement in cultism, stressing that such conduct would undermine public confidence and compromise the integrity of the private security profession.