Rights Activist Wants DTSG To Allocate Stipends To Civilian Security Groups

….Says This Will Enhance Crime Prevention, Foster Effective Community Policing

By Daniel Dafe

A civil society advocate, Comr. (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, has urged the Delta State Government to allocate funds and stipends for civilian security groups to enhance crime prevention and foster effective community policing.

Agberen, who is the National Coordinator, Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement (ISRCA) AKA “No Justice, No Peace,” said this in a statement on Wednesday made available to Oasis Magazine.

He added: “A persistent challenge that has been facing civilian security organizations in the state is inadequate funding apart from insufficient staffing.” Just as he said that “many volunteer groups lack sponsors, resulting in their members not receiving any form of stipends or salary.”

This issue, the rights activist said affects various groups, including Vigilante, Anti-Cult, Raiders, and Hunters.

He continued: “These groups resulted to assume the roles akin to those of the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Road Safety Corps, where they verify vehicle and driver’s licenses, impound vehicles, and thereby leveraging these assumed roles to arrest, detain and extort money from the public for their sustenance.

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“Adequate funding for civilian security groups and financial support from the Delta State Government, including payroll integration or allowance provision, would likely mitigate allegations of criminal activity within these groups and reduce their susceptibility to external influences. Leveraging the state’s security trust fund and the substantial monthly security allocations from the federal government could significantly enhance the welfare of these groups. Conversely, the state government’s lack of concern would pose a greater risk to societal safety.”

“Given the prevalence of unemployment and scarcity of opportunities for young people to flourish, which he said “has led to an influx of youths into vigilante groups and civilian security organizations,” he opined that it was necessary for “the administration of Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to make youth development a priority, being a crucial aspect of Delta State’s overall development.