Delta: Police, Vigilante Alliance Takes Off in Udu LGA
By Akporhobo Tatauna
LAGOS NOVEMBER 24TH (URHOBOTODAY)-The cloudy cat and mouse relationship existing between the Nigeria Police and members of community watch also refer to as vigilante, becomes a thing of the past in Udu local government area when the Divisional Police Officer of the Ovwian/Aladja Police Division, CSP Jonathan O. Acha convoke a Police-Vigilante Alliance Security Summit on Thursday 19th November, 2015, at the premises of the Division in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a keynote address presented by Mr J.O Acha during the summit, he stated that the Summit is meant to sensitise stakeholders in the Local Government Area on the need to jointly curb the ever increasing crime rates in their area.
The DPO emphasizes the role of community watch as a proactive measure to fight criminalities from the grassroots. Saying ?Every policeman working outside his locality can?t claim better knowledge of his work environment and the people than the local vigilante groups. The summit which is mainly gear towards improving security system in Udu Local Government area calls for the creation of a formal structure harmonizing the relationship of vigilantes and the police.
The DPO stated that in alliance with vigilante groups it has been agreed that amongst others a Joint Police / Vigilante groups patrol team will be establish with a fully armed detachment of the joint patrol on standby. While appealing to the Udu Local Government Council Chairman, Chief Solomon Kpoma to reactivate the monthly security payments meant for the members of vigilante in the area, Mr Acha maintained that the involvement of members of a community to check insecurities is the engine room for proactive management of criminal activities in any area. He listed areas of alignment to include:
Provision of basic training and retraining at the Divisional Police level, for members of the groups, as a team against undue interference of the community leaders in the management of crimes and criminality, work diligently as a team so that their commitment will encourage the stakeholders to provide them basic operational equipment as well as the establishment of a Joint Information Bureau Unit.
In his remarks., the Warri Area Commander of the Nigeria Police, ACP M. Muazu lauds the efforts of the DPO of the Ovwian/Aladja Division and that of the B Division, Mr Eyo A. A, of the Ekpan Division of the Nigeria police agreed that community policing tries to bring together members of the community and the Police in order to regulate their conduct and the activities of vigilantes for enhanced crime fighting. He urges members of the vigilantes to ensure good relationship with the police with the aims of crime prevention and that the ideals of the summit are to achieve the initiatives of the IGP, Mr. Arase.
Present in the epoch making event includes the Area Commander, Mr. Mohammed Muazu, Area Commander Warri, Mr Solomon Kpoma, chairman, Udu local government council, Mr Oghenejabor Ikimi, a legal practitioner, Mr B. Ugege, chairman, NBA Udu chapter. Also in attendance is chief G. Sikprakor representing the Ovie of Orhuwhorun, com. Elvis Kporoh, com. Oloro, representing the NURTW, and chief Steve Sokoh, PG Union of Udu communities, chief Joseph Tefue ?PG Orhuwhorun kingdom? . The Ovie of Udu was represented by chief C.C.I. Williki, while Mrs Aduke Ogbe represented State Security Services, SSS Udu Division and com. Sunday Subi, chairman Ighele Urhobo, Udu chapter as well as Mr David Ukiri, chairman, Udu vigilante, were all present.
