…recognizes only 4,000 registered ones

ONITSHA—Anambra State Government has begun a clampdown on some members of the state vigilante services, AVS who are considered to be illegal in the state and outside the recognized ones which are 4,000 in number.

Chairman of Anambra State Vigilante Supervisory Committee and former Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Mr. Ikechukwu Ayodele Aduba (retd) who disclosed this yesterday to newsmen, noted that the essence of clamping down on the illegal vigilante operatives was to help control the spate of crime rate amongst local vigilance operatives in the state.

Aduba also noted that the clampdown exercise became imperative in view of the urgent need to arrest the discordant and disparaging activities of the various vigilante groups in the state, adding, “AVS, as a selfless and service-oriented outfit ought to work under the strict supervision of the police but most of them exceeded their bounds, thus leading to abuses”.

According to him, “This issue of some AVS members working at cross purposes  ultimately defeated the purpose for which they were established.It is my observation that some of them are even operating out of pecuniary and selfish motives and often times, violated human rights and engage in unlawful use of fire arms,thus usurping the functions of the statutorily created outfits.

“For avoidance of doubts, vigilante outfits are not supposed to bear fire arms”, he stated.

On torture cells being operated by some vigilante groups, Aduba warned that no illegal cells and illegal detention camps are allowed, stating that offenders when caught would be made to face the wrath of the law.

“No illegal cells and illegal detention are allowed. Suspects arrested should be promptly handed over to the police within a limited time. Principally, the vigilantes are to concern themselves with sourcing of information and monitoring/surveillance of the environment and joint patrols. Such information and intelligence gathered are to be passed on to the police”.

Reiterating the resolve of the committee which he heads, that includes the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Igwe Alfred Achebe, former Deputy Governor of the state, Emeka Sibeudu and nine others, to rid the state of criminals, Aduba declared: “Our concern is to identify the unregistered groups, raid and mop up their illegal arms,” even as he admitted that effecting change in a system was always a difficult challenge.

He expressed satisfaction that the concerted efforts of the vigilante outfits and security operatives, especially the police, had resulted in many serious crimes being burst in the state and beyond.