Insecurity blame on religious sentiments – Private security guards react

By Kingsley Chukwuka

Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Plateau State chapter, has blamed the current insecurity challenges bedeviling the country especially Plateau State, on religious and tribal sentiments.

ALPSPN said Nigerians have never been this divided hence fueling insecurity which has further impoverished the people.

Speaking during a Monthly meeting and Presentation of National Membership Certificates of the Association in Plateau, the Chapter Chairman, Chief Edinen Usoroh argued that if Nigerians will stop protecting criminals who hailed from their tribe and religion, the country will be better for it.

Usoroh noted that lack of prosecution and justice based on sentiments has further lingered the crisis hitherto being experienced in the State.

He laments that government nonchalant attitude towards Private Security Guards is also a factor that is contributing to the unending security threats in the country.

Speaking on the topic, “Managing the Plateau State unending ethno-religious crisis”, Usoroh called on the government to recognise Private Guards as major stakeholders in the fight against insecurity.

“We are properly registered, organised and trained to combat security challenges. In advanced country we are used for intelligent gathering and serves as major components in dealing with insecurity”, he said.

Also speaking, the Legal Adviser ALPSPN Plateau State, Mr. Omar Faruk Muhammad said to end the ugly trend of insecurity, Justice must be seen to have been served in other to pacify victims and the aggrieved.

Faruk said any system that does not punish offenders will certainly have a boomerang.

“Insincerity from leaders and regularly security agencies are also part of the problem because they don’t punish offenders”, he said.

On his part, the Secretary, ALPSPN Plateau State, Mr. Inko-tariah Ipalibo also reiterated that the major role of ALPSPN is intelligent gathering gathered from the grassroots.

Ipalibo urged government to without delay synergies with ALPSPN to effectively combat insecurity.

“Our operatives get real time intelligent from the field and if these information are passed to the appropriate quarters at the right time government and other security agencies could use them to prevent an attack”, Ipalibo said.