Security Experts Demand Updating Of Private Guards Act

Security experts have urged the federal government to repeal the Private Guard Companies Act 1986 and re-enact a new one capable of sufficiently managing the modern trends and complexities in the private security business.

In his keynote address during the launch of a book, “Guarding Dreams: My Life in Leadership and Security,” Rear Admiral Leye Jaiyeola (rtd) said the need for an updated Private Security Act is one of the germane recommendations of the book.

He noted that the book – a memoir by Buduka Addey Johnson – is important in addressing challenges within the private security industry, and suitable in enhancing leadership traits and performance among youths.

According to him, “In the book, Guarding Dreams, Buduka highlighted very pertinent issues regarding the private security industry.

“This book is foundational as the author has spotlighted key issues like the need to review the 1986 Private Guard Companies Act, which is outdated and doesn’t reflect today’s realities.”

Though he disclosed that the minister of Interior, as well as industry stakeholders are already working on this, Jaiyeola said “Buduka’s insights are critical to moving the industry forward.

“The author made some vital recommendations and I love the fact that she showcased the prospects of the industry in her book as she identified the possibility for an increase in demand for the private sector services if the regulatory flaws are addressed,” he said.

According to him, there should be a synergy between private security providers and government security agencies to complement each other.

On her part, Buduka, who is the author and founder of EPSS Private Security Services Limited, insisted that Nigeria’s security landscape has significantly changed and the 1986 legislation was no longer sufficient in managing modern concepts and trends in private security and associated practices like risk assessment, cyber security, advisory services and journey management, among others.

Unveiling the book, the chief launcher, Sobere Diri, extolled the author and endorsed the book for schools and stakeholders in the private security sector.

Also, the founder and publisher of Paperworth Books Limited, Ibiso Graham-Douglas, commended the fine delivery of storytelling in the book and commended the author’s writing style, which provides local context for Nigerians.