Government at all levels has been called to adequately fund vigilante organisations to complement the efforts of security operatives in the fight against cultism in Rivers State. The Commander of the Diobu Vigilante group, Mr. Bipeledei Amatari, stated this on the news and current affairs programme, ‘Matters of the Moment.’
Mr Amatari, who enumerated the achievements of his security group, which include apprehending cultists and recovering of fire arm, however, appealed to the government to assist the vigilante groups in their fight against the menace of cultism.
“Vigilante knows how to reduce this crime rate, but we cannot reduce it with our own money. We don’t have patrol vehicles, logistics, or money to buy cartridges for our firearms. We use pump-action rifles to fight the cultists. We don’t even have money to buy fuel for our vehicles to patrol. It is the duty of the government to raise monthly stipends for the vigilantes so that they can fund themselves to battle this crime,” he noted.
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To forestall further resurgence of cult clashes in Diobu, Mr. Amatari suggested that all the waterfronts must be converted to useful facilities that would yield dividends to the government to prevent criminals from using such places as hideouts. Mr Amatari cited dwindling commercial activities as one of the adverse effects of cult violence in the area, hence calling for concerted efforts to arrest the situation.
“When things like these happen, they scare away investors. These consequences are there. When an area is prone to insecurity, it would drive away investors. Those who are supposed to sell and buy would not have the atmosphere to do business because people would like to close early because of stray bullets, reprisal attacks, or robbery. These are the things there. It will discourage the government of the day,” he stated.
On rehabilitation of repentant cultists, Mr. Amatari said his organization reorients and counsels genuine cultists who have turned a new leaf, giving them a sense of belonging in society. The commander of Diobu Vigilante Group urged those doing business in the community to work in harmony with the vigilante organisations to bring cultism to its barest minimum.
