DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2014.v02i05.031

Pages: 786-795

This paper explores the role of private guard companies and crime control in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. The history of private security companies in Nigeria are discussed along with the challenges affecting their operations. The structural functionalist theory of Robert K. Merton is adopted as the theoretical guide for this study. A survey research design was utilized to study a sample of One Hundred and Sixty (160) respondents of different categories of people who constitutes the private security practitioners in Akwa Ibom State as well as members of the public who reside in the community where these private guard companies offer their services. Findings of the study revealed that the private guard business in Nigeria has been infiltrated by unregistered and unlicensed persons who constitute a serious security threat on account of current insecurity situation in the country. From Findings, the study has suggested that federal government should amend the current Private Guard Companies Act to check a number of abuses most especially with regards to training, sanctions and appropriate facilities for effective security services in the region.