Tina Amanda
Civil-Military Police and Paramilitary Relations CIMPARR-NIGERIA has condemned the actions of some vigilance groups in Port Harcourt over reports of detention and torture of persons accused of having committed crimes, especially by some vigilante members operating within the Diobu axis.
Coordinator, CIMPPAR-NIGERIA, Green Isaac, who condemned the act, said there are reports of inhumane treatment ranging from torture, chaining, and detention of persons by the Vigilance group, who are also said to collect bail money before alleged suspects are released without handing over to the Police while threatening the suspects not to report to Police.
“As much as CIMPARR-NIGERIA acknowledge the positive contribution the Vigilance group has made in synergy with Police and other relevant agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property, members of the Vigilante group must carry out their activities within the confines and dictates of the law.
“We call on persons who are illegally detained, tortured or suffering any form of human rights infringement by the vigilantes in Diobu or any part of the state to report to the Police and other relevant security agencies or human rights groups for proper guidance on ways of seeking redress as the law is not a respecter of any man.
He also condemned the report of the indiscriminate shooting of guns by the Vigilante group without cause, especially by one of the vigilance groups whose office is located in Azikiwe Street Mile 2 Diobu, Port Harcourt, thereby causing panic in the area.
Green called on the Police, the Department of State Security, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to monitor and checkmate the activities of the Vigilantes and carry out unscheduled inspections at offices of the vigilante group in all parts of the state to avoid repeats of unethical conducts.
