-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Michael EKOKORUWE:
THE Executive Chairman of Isoko North local government area of Delta State, Hon. Dcn. Christian Iteire, yesterday overhauled the vigilante from various Isoko North communities to complement the Army and other security agencies towards ensuring the safety of the people in the local government area.
Iteire while screening members of the vigilante drawn from various communities at the council secretariat Ozoro, Isoko North local government area, stated that “It is the paramount interest of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State to tackle security challenge in the state”.
He maintained that the exercise was to ensure credible community vigilante groups that will complement the security agencies to fight crime in the council area, noting that vigilante are more acquainted with happenings in their environment.
The local government boss added that the exercise was to introduce members of the vigilante to the state government, the police and state security service, emphasizing that the council will partner with them to ensure that security gets adequate attention in the area.
Iteire stated that security challenge is now critical and urged the vigilante to be proactive and report security situations early and timely. “Don’t allow issues to escalate before reporting, if you hear it by rumor release it by rumor. Don’t wait for trouble to get beyond control”.
He further said, “I want all of you to co-operate with Ozoro and Otor – Owhe D.P.O as minor issues can be nipped in the bud if reported on time. If you don’t report it on time, it may get out of hand”.
He urged the vigilante chairmen from various communities to aptly report cases of crime to the police, adding that their phones must be active and reachable night and day. He stressed that that if crisis are reported, the vigilante chairmen should act immediately.
Iteire cautioned that activities of cultism in the council area must be tackled headlong, just as he urged landlords and school principals to know the people around them and what they do to reduced crime rate in the local government area.
He assured the people of Isoko North of their safety even as he urged them to have confidence in security agencies, stating “I will not fail to secure the people because when there is no peace and security, there will be no development”.
In attendance was the Divisional Police Officer of Ozoro, CSP Ogedengbe and that of Otor – Owhe community, SP Obioji Chidi, men of State Security Service, Henry Obukeowho Esq. and Head Of Personnel Management, Isoko North council area, and vigilante groups from various communities in the local government area among others.
