THE Delta State capital territory and environs have witnessed unwholesome activities some hoodlums and other criminal elements in recent times, culminating in pockets of kidnappings and other insecurity concerns.
This development necessitated the setting up of a 12-man task force by the Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government, Chief Kelvin Ezenyili, to curb the menace and ensure a safe environment for socio-economic development in the area.
Acknowledging the necessity to hit the ground running, the chairman provided vehicles and motorcycles to enhance mobility and propel the members to tackle their assignments with the desired interest.
Addressing the task force headed by Police Area Commander, Asaba, ACP Alex Udeze and comprising the Army, police, civil defence, and vigilante, the chairman said: “The primary business of every government is the maintenance of law and order and it is the premise on which meaningful development can be achieved in any town or city. The challenges of our security infrastructure have been a major concern for this administration right from the previous tenure and since the assumption of office; it has even become more pressing with the increase of criminality, which is undoubtedly, connected with the influx of criminals from the neighboring states.
The 12-man security task force is expected to combat crime within the local government area to a barest minimum and ensure that the community remains crime-free and conducive for economic activities.
Such a task force is desirous at this time of serious war against criminals in neighbouring states. Since the past few months, security agents in Anambra and other states in the South East have launched an onslaught against criminal elements with some of them entering Delta because of closeness.
Besides, the prevailing cases of illegal and hard drug consumption have lured some youths into crimes of kidnapping, rape, armed robbery, ritual killings, cultism, assassination, etc. Related to the growing crimes is the problem of herdsmen who engage in both kidnapping and attacking innocent farmers on their farms.
Therefore, the task force is welcome during this critical period of efforts to contend with these hoodlums who are making lives unbearable for innocent citizens. We commend Chief Ezenyili for his foresight, commitment, and investment in this noble venture.
It demonstrates the characteristics of a leader with the interest of his people at heart and we believe that the move will ensure a safer and peaceful Delta where economic activities can thrive.
However, having demonstrated this, the chairman and his team must go the extra mile to guarantee the success of the task force.
Provision of mobility is laudable but there are still critical actions needed for success. These include regular training and retraining of the operatives, Â provisions of stipends, executive supervision to ensure compliance with the rules of engagements, regular meetings with leaders and unit commanders, etc.
While the local government is charged with sustaining the investment in the prosecution of the war against criminals in the area, the operatives should also comply with the rules and laws governing task forces or vigilante operations.
These demands that they must collaborate with security agents, other vigilante groups, and statutory security bodies, know their operational limits, avoid using their position as vindictive or settle old scores, should not operate detention camps or detain suspects at all but must hand them over to the police, and respect to the traditional authority of area of operation.
It is also important to point out that crimes are not limited to a particular area. Consequently, all local governments in the state should emulate the steps of Oshimili South local government and set up a similar task force with both serving and retired officers and equip them with motor vehicles and motorcycles to combat crimes in their areas.
If these task forces perform their job creditably in line with the due process of law, crime will, no doubt, reduced considerably at the grassroots and other cities in the country. That is what we desire for a safer and peaceful Delta State where socio-economic activities can thrive unhindered.
