Controversy Over Use of military uniforms by Private Security Guard

The use of replica uniforms of military agencies by some private security guards is generating a lot of controversy among the people. What led to this?

Daniel, an American who was on a visit to Nigeria for the first time was surprised to see 'naval personnel' guarding one of the banks in the country instead of being by the sea shore. At first, he attributed it to the insurgency in the country especially in the northern region but on a second thought, Daniel enquired from his friend why 'naval personnel' should leave the sea and be guarding a bank. Daniel may not be the only one who mistaken private guards with any of the military or para-military outfits.

Resemblance of FRSC uniform

Investigations revealed that the uniforms of some private guard companies show similarity with the Nigerian navy, airforce or the army. They use the same belt, boot (shoes), rope and even ranks like that of the military.

Our inquiries show that the companies are using the replica of military uniforms because the outfits are owned by retired military officers. The usages of replica uniforms by private guards are in contravention of the Act establishing private guard companies in the country.

A staff of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, name withheld told our correspondent that highly connected people do not bother to follow due process in the registration of their guard companies.

According to her, with just one phone call, the deed is done, and nobody bothers to know if the laid down procedure is observed thereafter.

In the Act, given to our correspondent, No 6 section 3 of the NSCDC Corp (Amendment) Act 2007 gives the NSCDC power to register, and from time to time, inspect the premises of private guard companies, their training facilities and approve same if it is up to standard. It also empowers the agency to supervise and monitor the activities of all private guard companies and keep a register for that purpose as well as seal up any private guard company which operates without a valid licence.

Mrs. Agusta Augustine who works with one of the para-military agencies disclosed that children no longer know the difference between a private security personnel and Nigerian military or para-military.

On the other hand, Sunday Obinna, a police officer said it is high time the civil defence reviewed the registered uniforms used by private guard companies since some of them conflict with that of the federal security agencies.

Private guards with Police-look-alike uniform

A senior army officer, name withheld, at the Mogadishu Barrack complained of compromise. He described the conflict in uniform as an embarrassment to the country. “This is what you see in democratic rule; if it were military regime no private security company could try to insult the sensibilities of the federal (security) agencies,” he noted.

However, nothing seems to be done concerning the replica uniforms as more and more security outfits are adopting other security outfits. Can anybody put a stop to this abnormally?