The Yoruba social-cultural group, Oodua Peoples Congress, has said it now secures the lives and properties of more Nigerians in view of the country’s high level of insecurity.
OPC also said it was training more members towards protecting prominent politicians and public office holders.
Speaking on Friday, the National Coordinator, OPC, Gani Adams, who stated that the group remained apolitical and non-partisan, said his men had been private guards to prominent Nigerians, including politicians.
While denying reports that the group had been responsible for the security around the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, since his security details were withdrawn, he however said the group would do so, if given the opportunity.
Policemen attached to Tambuwal were withdrawn two days after he announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress on October 28.
The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, had cited Section 68(1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as reason.
Adams stated that although the group is of the Yoruba from the South-West, it was meant to secure every Nigerian, including Tambuwal.
He said, “We are a detribalised group. Inasmuch as you ask for our security arrangement, if you have a very good job and not a person with questionable character, we have the right to secure you.
“If the presidency calls for our services, we can secure them. We are not a partisan organisation. We will not dabble into politics. But if it is on a personal level, there is nothing bad in that, as long as he (Tambuwal) has the capacity to pay our boys.
“There is no person in this country that the OPC cannot secure. We have specially trained security guards in our organisation; there are about 4000 of them. They have security experience, physical strength and psychological advantage.
“We have the capacity to secure even governors. We usually don’t lobby for such services because we feel the government has the necessary agencies to secure them (officials).
He added that, “What most people don’t know is that OPC is the one securing them and their properties. Most of the politicians, especially in the South-West and Abuja, our group secure them. Some of them have our members as aides and personal security.”
The OPC boss pointed out that members of the group now work discreetly with intelligence, contrary to the wide belief that they move about with charms and weapons.
“We have our internal training and orientation on security and they don’t need to carry guns before they secure you. They don’t need cutlasses or knives for security. You won’t see charms or anything intimidating or anything that can affect your religious belief on them,” Adams stated.
