By Chinasia Chijindu
THE reticence and reluctance of government agencies or ministries as well as law enforcement agencies to deal with unruly Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) is helping some miscreants to take advantage of one form of disabilities or the other where it is totally uncalled for.
I recall that on the 8th day of July, 2024, some Violent Persons with Disabilities, (should I call them VWDs) invaded the premises of the Commissioners’ Quarters, Asaba, Delta State capital and sealed the gate. They extorted money from anyone who sought to drive in or out of the premises. Unlucky motorists paid an average of a hundred thousand naira (N100, 000) before they were allowed entry or exit as the case may be.
There also have been rampant cases where these violent persons with disabilities have stormed the State Secretariat along Maryam Babangida road, Asaba. They would lock the gate of the Secretariat and compel anyone who sought to drive out or in to transfer money into a bank account these unruly persons with disabilities provide on the spur of the moment.
Now this is the pertinent question “is living with a disability a license for violence and criminal acts?”. There are many persons with disabilities around the world who have proven their mettle. There are many more who have distinguished themselves in various capacities in all walks of life.
It is therefore unhealthy that some members of the JOINT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (JONAPWD) are allowed to brazenly torment the lives of fellow citizens.
These very violent PwDs had on several occasions, attacked officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development (the supervisory ministry) over Persons with Disabilities (PWD) matters. They had also in the past, vandalized and destroyed the ministry’s equipment and carted away food items from the ministry’s warehouse.
Even more worrisome is the fact that these law breaking and violent persons with disabilities are usually high on drugs and alcoholic intake while perpetrating their nefarious acts.
Equally very disturbing is the fact that some of these criminals hide under PwD tag to carry out their criminal acts while expecting sympathy. We are not oblivious of the fact that some of them were shot in their legs either by fellow cultists or law enforcement officers prior to sustaining a disability status. Therefore, there is need to properly screen and vet individuals who seek to register with the PWD association.
When government officials and citizens pay money to PwDs during their unlawful actions as a remedy, it becomes an enablement and encouragement to them to keep wreaking havoc on the society.
ACTIONS THAT OUGHT TO BE TAKEN include a special anti-riot law enforcement unit should be set up to deal decisively with violent PwDs who attack private citizens or their fellow members. Once apprehended, such PwDs should be charged to court to serve as deterrent to others.
The Delta State Government should establish mechanisms to rein-in violent persons with disabilities. Measures such as a code of conduct and regular re-orientation seminars should be carried out.
The leadership of the JOINT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, DELTA STATE should be made to face the law if their members engage in criminal acts. There is no way the leader of a PwD community will not know the premeditated actions of his members.
The state government should also look inwards to explore ways of breaking up and eliminating the viciousness of the PwDs.
Law enforcement agencies should prosecute any PwD who engages in criminal acts. The ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development should be empowered to fully control the activities of PwDs. This is unlike the present situation where they are allowed to run riot in the name of autonomy and being independent of the ministry. It is time for the Delta State Government to do something in this regard.
