Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has said that the state government will integrate OSPAC into the state Neighbourhood Watch and Safety Corps program.
Wike who said the State Government will not permit the proliferation of vigilante groups added that youths interested in helping to build the state’s security architecture should join the State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency.
He said the decision became necessary after OSPAC from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area started overstepping their boundaries.
According to him: “I am being very careful about Vigilante Groups in all the Local Government Areas because of what OSPAC is doing. They are now going beyond their boundaries.
“We will reintegrate OSPAC into the State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency. Anyone who wants to support the security structure should join the State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency. We will not approve Local Vigilante for different Local Government Areas “.
He said that some of the criminals may pretend to have repented, only for them to renege after re-arming themselves.
Governor Wike said that the Rivers State Government will no longer operate an amnesty programme since many of the criminals reneged during the first exercise.
He said: “We granted amnesty in the past and some boys went back to crime. For now, we are doing what is called, ‘Binding Over’. If they renege, the law will take its course.
“When the court binds you over, it will be difficult for you to renege”.
