By: Admin
Following the increasing attacks on police formations in the different parts of South East and South-South, and with police officers becoming jittery to confront the attacks heads on, some divisional police officers in Rivers State have reportedly employed vigilante groups like ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Council, OSPAC, to provide security for their stations.
It was learnt that police stations in Rumuji and Ibaa all in Emohua Local Government Area and divisional police station in Ahoada Town are now being guarded at night by charm-wearing OSPAC operatives.
An OSPAC commander in Elele-Alimini who identified himself simply as Chiagi confirmed the development.
He said their men currently provide security for police stations in the area at night since the advent of the unknown gunmen who have been attacking and burning police stations in parts of the South East and South-South.
He listed the police stations guarded by his men to include the Ahoada town police station, Rumuji police station and stations in Omoku, Ibaa and Obagi.
Asked if they’re paid by the police for such responsibility, Chiagi said that the police do not pay. He said that OSPAC took the initiative due to current trends which have put police officers in harms’ way.
But confirming the development, a police officer who spoke on the conditions of anonymity said the vigilante group was employed to guard stations as police officers are constantly on the move to enforce the night-time curfew imposed by Governor Nyesom Wike.
The police Inspector said the guarding of the stations by the vigilante is a temporary measure to secure the facilities against hoodlums who might take the opportunity of the absence of officers to attack the stations.
PHspectator reports that since the attack on security formations around the country began, there has been heavy blockade around all police stations in the state.
