By Edith Nwapi
The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Patrick Eglof, says Switzerland is committed to supporting Nigeria in strengthening private security governance.
Eglof said this on Friday in Abuja at the inauguration of the Nigeria chapter of the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA), organised by AfriLaw and the Swiss Embassy.
He said ICoCA, established in 2013, promotes respect for human rights and humanitarian law among private security providers and serves as a governance mechanism for the Code.
According to him, ICoCA brings together governments, private security firms and civil society to ensure accountability and compliance with international standards.
“ICoCA represents a uniquely multi-stakeholder initiative bringing together governments, private security providers and civil society to promote respect for human rights and international humanitarian law in private security operations,” he said.
Eglof said the Swiss Embassy had engaged the Interior Ministry and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps since 2017 on private security regulation.
He said the Nigeria chapter would enhance local ownership of standards, promote peer learning and strengthen collaboration among regulators, companies and civil society.
Eglof reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to aligning Nigeria’s practices with global norms and promoting responsible conduct in the private security sector.
He said accountable and well-regulated private security providers contribute to safety, trust, stability and sustainable development.
“Through our membership and continued support to ICoCA, Switzerland remains committed to supporting Nigeria in strengthening private security governance, aligning national practices with international norms and encouraging responsible business contact in the security sector.
“We firmly believe that professional, accountable and well-regulated private security providers contribute not only to safety, but also to trust, stability and sustainable development.
“Since its creation, Switzerland has consistently supported ICoCA’s institution building, outreach and promotion efforts globally, including here in Nigeria.
“Over the years, this Embassy has also convened or participated actively in several meetings organised by ICoCA and its local partner AfriLaw, reaffirming Switzerland’s commitment to international best practices in private security regulations, as embodied in ICoCA.”
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, represented by Mrs Asmau Shehu, Director, Joint Services of the Ministry,
commended Switzerland for supporting responsible security governance in Nigeria.
He said the initiative would enhance professionalism, accountability and adherence to human rights standards in the private security sector.
Tunji-Ojo said the establishment of the Nigeria chapter was timely, given the growing role of private security in national safety.
“Today’s event is significant not only for Nigeria but for the wider African region.
“It reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that private security service providers operate within clearly defined standards of professionalism respect for human rights, integrity and accountability,” he said.
The Commandant-General of NSCDC, represented by Commandant Victoria Akpe, expressed readiness to partner with ICoCA on training and operational standards.
She said the corps would align its training manuals with ICoCA standards and integrate responsible practices into its operations.
ICoCA Head of Communication, Chris Galvin, said the association’s code provides guiding principles for private security companies globally.
Galvin said the code, agreed in 2010, outlines standards for professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights.
Mr Chinwike Okereke of AfriLaw said Nigeria is the second African country to launch an ICoCA chapter after Egypt.
Okereke added that the association would hold a conference in Nigeria in November. NAN)(www.nanews.ng)
Edited by Francis Onyeukwu
