By KELECHI OGUNLEYE

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has disclosed that 893 registered Private Guard Companies (PGCs) are yet to be issued operational licences.

Outgoing NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, revealed this at the 2026 World Civil Defence Day celebration on Friday at the NSCDC Headquarters, Abuja.

Audi disclosed that between 2021 to 2026, the corps had licenced 376 PGCs, sealed 434, re-opened 241, renewed 3,869 licences.

He further revealed that within the year under review, NSCDC generated N3.5 billion, trained 15,157 guards, handled 52 complaints and recovered N3.3 million from complainants.

The commandant general further said that the Anti-Vandal Squad arrested 2,677 suspects and prosecuted 2,039 from March 1, 2021 to Feb. 2026.

Audi noted that the unit in charge of the protection of Critical National Asset and Infrastructure (CNAI), convicted 638 of the suspects and destroyed 283 illegal refineries.

He also said that the corps effectively sanitised the Private Guards industry for efficiency through proper supervision and monitoring.

Giving a breakdown of the CGs Special Intelligence Squad operational statistics from 2022 to January 2026, he stated that 5,196 suspects were arrested.

“No fewer than 841 trucks impounded, 205 prosecuted, 1,781 ongoing cases, 119 illegal refineries destroyed, 821 illegal oil dumps destroyed, 66 trucks apprehended with vandalized railway sleepers.

“Also arrested include 186 cattle rustlers, while 125 rustled cattle recovered, nine human traffickers and 67 electrical transmission line vandals were arrested.

“Also arrested include 35 alleged kidnappers/bandits and 270 for other sundry offences,” Audi revealed. (NAN)