Rights activist, Comrade (Amb.) Derrick Agberen, has called on the Delta State Government and the Delta State Police Command, to review the establishment/activities of the Anti-Cult, Vigilantes, Federal Hunter’s Group in the state.
He said this in a statement made available newsmen on Thursday.
In his words: “Words may not suffice to express the heartfelt sorrow that I feel for the passing away of 17 year old, Master Sylvester, as a result of the rascality and recklessness of men of the civilian Anti-Cult group, attached to Obiaruku Police Division.”
Adding: “This sad occurrence took place yesterday, the 27th day of September, 2023, at Obiaruku, Ukwuani LGA of Delta State.”
He recalled how men of the civilian Anti-Cult group, are reported to have chased a youth when he came out of a Pharmacy, and upon running he ran into a wall with his bike, were he became unconscious and gave up the ghost.
Considering the development, he said it has become imperative for the Delta State Command and the State Government to review the activities of the so-called Anti-Cult group since its establishment.
“As the name implies, one of the main reasons for the establishment of the group was to assist the Nigeria Police Force in the State, Local Governments and Communities on cult related activities, providing relevant informations to the Police, but in recent times, the group has deviated from its core responsibility, thereby playing the roles of the Police, NDLEA, as seen by the public.
“The civilian Anti-Cult group is supposed to be attached, working directly with the Special Anti-Cult Unit(SACU) of the Delta State Police Command in all cases, on issues related to cultism and not given the free hands to do things independently,” he opined.
According to him, It would interest the State Government and the Delta State Police Command to know that these groups mount checkpoints on the roads, vetting vehicle particulars and driver’s license; carrying operations particularly meant for FRSC, NDLEA; arresting suspected members of the public who sell illicit drugs for exchange of money as bail or for settlement, without the Police or NDLEA officers being involved, impounding vehicles, and most of the times, this illegal activities are carried out at Divisional Police Stations within the locality with or without the Police being aware.
He said: “The death of Master Sylvester should set a record straight, on the activities and mode of operations of the Anti-Cult/Federal Hunters group across various part of the State. It should be reviewed or completely disbanded from operating in the State if established rules cannot be upheld by the group and its leaders.”
Furthermore, he called on the state government and Commissioner of Police, Delta state Command, CP Wale Abass, to critically look into the activities of the Anti-Cult group and other civilian security outfits, checkmating their activities/mode of operations, putting a stop to it, as members of the public can no longer tolerate their excesses.
In Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North LGA, the civilian Anti-cult, Vigilantes and the Hunters group have taken over the duties of the NDLEA, VIO, FRSC and in some cases that of the Police as they now barricades major roads with tyres, woods and drums harassing every young men and vehicle owners with the sole aim of extorting huge sum.
SouthernVoicenews.Com can authoritatively report how a team of a vigilante group arrested an alleged suspect who deals on illicit drugs and took him to a PoS stand where they forcefully withdrew the sum of One Hundred & Fifty Thousand Naira (#150,000) from the victim account before releasing him. The question is, who gave them the power to prosecute and pass judgment.
On daily basis, these civilian security outfits oppressed, abuse and maimed citizens and as well breach the trust, privileges given to them by extorting money from the public sometime under the supervision of the police.
Recently, SouthernVoicenews.Com raised an alarm over the multiple security outfits and their activities in Ughelli, even as crime rate increases.
Every day, different groups of young men whose criminal backgrounds are not known are seen in different uniforms parading themselves as security personnel arrogating the job of the Nigeria police to themselves. Their duty is not to protect and preserve lives and properties, but to make money from the general public.
It would be good if their activities are reviewed by the state government and possibly disbanded as a stich in time they say, saves nine.
Credit Source: Oasis Magazine & SouthernVoicenews