… Promise to integrate outfit into Neighbourhood Watch

By: Felix Ikpotor

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has said that the state government will integrate OSPAC into the state Neighbourhood Watch and Safety Corps program.

OSPAC is a local vigilante group that started in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni local government area but has spread its nets to Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs in the state.

Wike who said the state government will not permit the proliferation of vigilante groups added that youths interested in helping to build the state’s security architecture should join the State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency.

He said the decision became necessary after OSPAC  started overstepping their boundaries.

The move we have learnt may not be unconnected with the recent activities of the outfit in Ikwerre local government area with the alleged killing of a tipper driver suspected to be a cultist at Igwuruta on Monday. A situation which led to riots in the area as locals insisted that the slain man was not a cultist.

Wike 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 State Neighbourhood Safety Corps 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.

The governor said that the Rivers State Government will 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”.