Rights Activist Faults Security Corps Bill, Says DTHA Members, LGA Chairmen Shouldn’t Nominate Vigilante Members

By Daniel Dafe

A rights activist in Delta State, Harrison Gwamnishu, has said that the Security Corps Bill has been politicized with only elected House of Assembly members, elected local government chairmen and community leaders authorized to nominate individuals for screening to become members of the Security Corps (Vigilante).

Gwamnishu who said in a post on Facebook that the state is politicizing insecurity, warned that they “will not give the lawmakers a happy ending.”

Recall that on Friday, the Delta State House of Assembly held a public hearing on a bill for a Law to amend the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency law at the Press center, State Assembly Complex, Okpanam road, Asaba.

He wrote: “Today, at the venue for the public hearing on the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency Bill, I observed a concerning issue. Upon commencing my remarks, the media present removed their cameras and declined to cover my statement. Fortunately, we have our own video recording, which I intend to post in its entirety. We strongly object to a specific provision of the bill, which proposes that only elected House of Assembly members, elected local government chairmen and community leaders be authorized to nominate individuals for screening to become members of the Security Corps (Vigilante).”

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He continued: “If we permit them to nominate, they may exploit this authority for their own selfish interests in the future. Regrettably, the bill has already been politicized.

“We like the bill, we want it passed and signed by the Governor BUT we don’t want politicians to be the once nominating people that will guard our communities. Tomorrow, they will use them for their selfish interest. Let’s not politicize security in our state.”

He also advised that members of Civil Society Organizations should be included in the Agency Board for check and balances, adding” “Let’s learn from what is happening today in Anambra State.”