Wike: Rivers Govt Will not Permit Proliferation of Vigilante Groups in State

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the state government would not permit the proliferation  of vigilante groups,  stating that youths interested in helping  to build the state security architecture should join the State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency.

This is as Traditional Rulers of Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas submitted arms retrieved from repentant  criminals  in the area,  after a local amnesty programme was held.

Speaking at a brief ceremony where he received the Ekpeye Traditional Rulers from Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday,  Wike said this decision became necessary  after OSPAC from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area started over stepping  their boundaries.

He said: "I am being very careful about Vigilante Groups in all the local government areas because  of what OSPAC is doing. They are now going beyond their boundaries.

"We will reintegrate  OSPAC  into the state Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency.  Anyone who wants to support  the security  structure should join the agency.  We will not approve local vigilante for different Local Government Areas.”

He said that some of the criminals may pretend to have repented,  only for them to renege after re-arming themselves.

Wike said the state government  would no longer  operate an amnesty programme,  since many of the criminals  reneged during the first exercise.

He said: "We granted amnesty in the past and some boys went back to crime.  For now, we are doing what is called 'Binding Over'. If they renege, the law will take its course.

"When the court binds you over, it will be difficult  for you to renege".

While saying that the security agencies are determined to fight crime across  the state,  Governor Wike commended  the Traditional Rulers  of Ekpeye land and Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly,  Ehie Edison for taking proactive action  to improve  security.

The Governor  said  the State  Government will reward the Divisional Police Officers  of Ahoada East and West and the Joint Task Force Commander in the area, Major Nwachukwu for their roles in promoting peace and security.

Earlier,  Eze Igbu Upkata, Dr. Felix  Otuwarikpo, said Traditional Rulers from Ahoada East and West Local Government Areas worked with the security agencies to ensure that peace returned  to Ekpeye land.