The Rivers State Commissioner of Police (CP), Nwonyi Polycarp has sent stern warning to all vigilante groups operating in Rivers against overstepping their bounds.
The CP had convened a stakeholders meeting where he warned the various vigilante groups operating in the state to desist from extortion, unlawful detention, or torture of any arrested suspect.
The CP read the riot act at the meeting which also had in attendance LGA Chairmen of Omuma, Ikwerre, Etche, Port Harcourt, and Obio/Akpor LGAs, traditional rulers, youth leaders, vigilante group members.
The stakeholders meeting was for the people of Rivers East Senatorial District and it was held at the headquarters of the Rivers State Police Command in Port Harcourt.
CP Polycarp, however, appreciated the contributory efforts of the vigilante groups in crime fighting in the state, saying: “While we like their activities, we emphasise their excesses. We will not tolerate jungle justice from vigilance groups.
“We cannot have a group of people to protect life and property and the same people are the ones killing, beheading.”
He said tyrannical activities of vigilantes must be curtailed, adding that they are not force unit themselves.
“For instance, we have situation where they turn to debt collectors, flogging people”.
“Your duty is to arrest and share information. You don’t have power to detain and investigate,” the CP charged the groups.
“If a person is condemned by court for hanging and the person is shot the person who shot him has committed murder,” CP Polycarp added.
The CP said the vigilante groups must maintain their mandate, adding “activities of vigilance groups must be monitored by the traditional rulers, Police, Local Government Chairmen. Any arrest made by the vigilance group must be handed over to the Police”.
In his remarks, DCP Erivwede alleged that vigilante groups in the State are severally involved in human rights abuses.
Erivwede said: “Vigilante group or OSPAC began well, but started derailing when they began to take contracts from political leaders. If I have my way I will tell the CP to review the OSPAC and Vigilance group. Many of the OSPAC are criminals”.
Also in a bid to curb cultism and other violent activities in parts of the state the Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Polycarp has redeployed the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Ahoada, Ahoada East and Akinima, Ahoada West LGAs.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that CP Polycarp deployed Divisional Police Officer of Bori, SP Bako Angbashim to take charge of Ahoada Police Division and another seasoned crime fighter to Akinima Police Division.
The Police Public Relations Officer, of the Command SP Grace Iringe Koko, confirmed the redeployments of the DPOs but did not give any details.
Information from both local government areas has it that the news of the deployment of the DPOs to the two divisions is now a source of concern to hoodlums in the area as it may not be business as usual for the gang members.
Public Relations Officer of Akoh Youth Congress, Akoh Kingdom, Ahoada East, Hector Chinem in an interview commended the CP Polycarp for the deployment of seasoned crime fighters to the divisions.
Chinem noted that the strategic deployment by the Rivers Police Boss will lead to reduction of crime to zero.
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