Tina Amanda
Heads of Security Agencies in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State have raised concerns over the disbandment of local vigilante in their communities.
They said their alarm was necessitated due to past experiences of insecurity in the area.
The Divisional Police Officer in Charge of Rumuji Division raised the concerns when he led other Senior Security Personnel to address members of OSPAC in a meeting over their plan to protest against rumours of OSPAC’s disbandment by the Council Chairman, Chidi Lloyd.
The Rumuji DPO advised OSPAC members not to carry out any action that could threaten the security of the area and encouraged them to consider the moves by the Council Chairman to overhaul the system in a bid to fish out criminal elements.
On his part, the Chairman of OSPAC in Emohua Local Government area, Emeka Wori dismissed the rumour noting that their intention was to visit Community leaders to know their position on the alleged planned suspension of OSPAC.
The OSPAC leader reiterated their efforts to restore security and peace in the area while appealing to the Local government Chairman and other Stakeholders to remember the insecurity challenges in Emohua in the past.
“I was surprised to hear from people that we want to protest, we never had any intention to protest, we had only wanted to see our stakeholders and paramount rulers to find out if the rumour making rounds that the Chairman of Emohua local government wants to form a new vigilante group and disband OSPAC.
“We the OSPAC of Emohua local government, we have suffered a lot right from the beginning when Emohua was the worst in criminal activities, it was through the help of OSPAC that crime was tackled to its bearest minimal.
“With the help of the DPO Rumuji Police Station and DPO Egbeda, DSS and the JTF Sector Commander under Emohua local government, we decided to pipe low, and we have respected the security agencies because whatever thing we are doing, we can not do without them including the Commissioner of Police. We are not for demonstration.
“We are appealing to the people of Emohua local government and all political leaders in the area to remember the past. Whatever thing they are thinking or doing, they should have it in mind that Emohua was no go area two years ago, it was the worst in crime, but today people sleep peacefully without any problem, people live their doors open without fear of being robbed, people drive safely on Emohua without fear of being kidnapped and killed.
“For the few days that the issue of disbandment of OSPAC by the Emohua new Chairman has lasted, crime has gradually begun. This morning there was a kidnap at Egbeda; in the Ibaa community three persons were caught stealing this morning.
“We have OSPAC in Ikwerre, Obio Akpor, Andoni, Etche Local government areas and we have not been hearing of disbandment, is OSPAC in other LGA’s different from that in Emohua?
“We are appealing to the masses to look into this matter, because there was steady kidnap, killing, robbery perpetrated in Emohua before OSPAC came in, people should not just be quick to forget the past.
“We are also appealing to the Emohua Council Chairman to try and assist OSPAC for us to operate efficiently for the betterment of local government and the people.”
Also speaking, the Commander of Tiger Squad Barack, Elele Alimini OSPAC, JOHN CHIDI-AGI and IGBUDU NNA-SAMUEL who is OSPAC Commander in Oduoha said disbandment of OSPAC in the area will mean handing them over to those they fought against just as they complained of how politicians and traditional leader who they said hid their children when insecurity was high in the area have hijacked the proposed list of new local vigilante.
Recall that CHIDI LLOYD had after meeting with traditional leaders in communities urged them to submit five names from each Community that will make up the new members of the local vigilante which is not going down well with the existing members of OSPAC.
