Rivers CP Warns Vigilance Group against Torture of Suspects, Extortion

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Nwonyi Polycarp has warned the various vigilance groups operating in the state to desist from extortion, unlawful detention or torture of any arrested suspect.

The police boss gave the warning in a Riot Act read to the local security group at a stakeholders meeting with people of Rivers East Senatorial District, held in Port Harcourt.

Polycarp, who appreciated the contributory effort of the vigilance group in  crime fighting in the State, said: “While we like their activities, we emphasize on their excess. We will not tolerate jungle justice from vigilance groups.  We cannot have a group of people to protect life and property and the same people are the ones killing, beheading.”

He said tyrannical activities of vigilance must be curtailed, adding that they are not force unit themselves.

“For instance, we have situation where they turn to debt collectors, flogging people. Your duty is to arrest and share information. You don’t have power to detain and investigate.

“If a person is condemned by court for hanging and the person is shot the person who shot him has committed murder,” CP Polycarp.

The CP said the vigilance groups  must maintain their mandate, adding that “activities of vigilance groups must be monitored by the traditional rulers, Police, Local Government Chairmen. Any arrest made by the vigilance  group must be handed over to the Police”.

In his remark, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCP) in charge of State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Victor Erivwede, observed that vigilance group in the state are severally involved in human rights abuses.

Erivwede said: “Viigilance group or OSPAC began well, but started derailing when they began to take contracts from political leaders. If I have my way I will tell the CP to review the OSPAC and Vigilance group. Many of the OSPAC are criminals.

“I have a case on my table where a vigilance member shot a man dead because the man spoke to his girlfriend,” the DCP emphasised.

THISDAY observed that LGA Chairmen of Omuma, Ikwerre, Etche, Port Harcourt, and Obio/Akpor LGAs, including traditional rulers, youth leaders, vigilance  group members were present at the meet attendance.