BY ANDREW IKEHI
One year after its inauguration, members of the Ebu-ogba Vigilante Group, Agbor in the Ika South local government area of Delta State, yesterday, rolled out drums in celebration.
As part of the celebration, the Vigilante group held a special parade within the community in appreciation to God for a successful one-year voluntary service.
Observing the guard of honour, the Unit Commander and Chairman of the agrarian community, Comrade Engr. Ebenezer Azobu lauded the commitment, dedication and bravery of the Volunteer Vigilante group, saying that their activities within the past year had greatly reduced the hitherto growing rate of crime and crime commission in the area.
According to him, within the past year of its operation, the unit recorded several arrests with suspects handed over to the Police, foiled several robbery incidents, as well as checkmated the activities of cult groups in the area.
He said that the area has since been declared a no-go area for criminally-minded individuals just as he advised landlords and property owners within the locality to be wary of the type of individuals they accommodate in their homes.
He enjoined his men to redouble their efforts in the upcoming year just as he pledged the unit’s unalloyed support and cooperation with the regular security outfits in combating crime and criminal activities in the area.
Speaking further, Comrade Azobu listed other achievements of the unit within the past year, including; the purchase of Operational Vehicles, which, he said, was at the instance of the collective efforts of the vigilante members, procurement of operational tools, successful and consistent daily patrol within the community, establishment of a secretariat and an outpost station, regular training of members, among others.
While saying that the unit is, however, challenged in several ways, Comrade Ebenezer sought the assistance of well-meaning individuals in the area and beyond, particularly the political class to come to the aid in addressing some of its challenges.
He listed the immediate challenge to include; regular maintenance of its operational vehicle, payment of its secretariat, procurement of additional operational vehicle/tools, enhanced and sustainable training programme for his men and, perhaps, stipends to boost the morale of members of the team, among others.
