Agberen To Delta CP: Civilian Anti-Cult, Federal Hunters, Vigilante Groups Need To Be Under Police Supervision, Banned From Night Operations

By Daniel Dafe

Comr. (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, National Coordinator, Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement (ISRCA) AKA “No Justice, No Peace” has called on the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Aina Adesola, to exercise caution regarding the operations of the Civilian Anti-Cult, Federal Hunters and Vigilante in the State, given their unprofessional behaviour and misconduct, particularly during odd hours of the day.

In a statement on Thursday, the rights activist added that “in light of numerous complaints from local residents and indigenous people who have fallen victim to them, and witnessed, their unprofessional conduct, the Civilian Anti-Cult, Federal Hunters and Vigilante group have allegedly resorted to effecting unlawful arrests of citizens, citing late-hour movements as a pretext to extort vulnerable individuals,” saying that “they reportedly collect money for bail on the road, without the knowledge or approval of their commanders or a police division, where they claim to support security operations in the area.”

He continued: “The Civilian Anti-Cult, Federal Hunters and Vigilante operating in Udu, Warri South, Ughelli North and South, Okpe and Sapele Local Government Areas are all implicated in these allegations. I have personally observed the recovery of money from suspected civilian groups, collected as bail, both within and outside Police Divisions in the area, without the knowledge or authorization of the Police, which also highlights inadequate supervision by senior Police personnel.

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“Additionally, in various communities, vigilante operatives are engaging in extortion activities, violently demanding money from motorcycle and tricycle riders beyond the ticket levy imposed by the respective unions. Furthermore, numerous police divisions are aware of and have encouraged these schemes. The general public has encountered difficulties in identifying these operatives at midnight due to their attire, which does not include any police personnel. This has raised increasing concerns, as the public is unable to accurately identify them, primarily due to their use of masks.”

While acknowledging the necessity of enhancing community policing, particularly through the support of these groups, and recognizing the numerical shortages within the Nigeria Police Force, he warned that “it is imperative that the situation is not exploited,” just as he called on CP Adesola to disband their operations as autonomous civilian groups, ensuring they operate solely under police supervision and are attached to a police tactical unit.