Rivers, Nigeria – In a shocking revelation, Victor Erivwede, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), has expressed deep concern over the escalating incidents of human rights abuses perpetrated by vigilance groups, OSPAC.
Erivwede specifically highlighted the increasingly criminal nature of the members within the Onelga Security, Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), also known as the vigilance group.
Erivwede acknowledged that these vigilance groups initially had noble intentions but veered off track when they began accepting contracts from political leaders.
This compromise led to a significant deterioration in their conduct, resulting in numerous human rights violations.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police emphasized the urgency for a thorough review of the activities and operations of OSPAC and other vigilance groups.
Erivwede went on to recount a harrowing incident, where a vigilante member fatally shot an innocent man simply for speaking to his girlfriend.
Such an extreme abuse of power underscores the urgent need for systemic changes within these vigilance groups to restore trust, safeguard human rights, and maintain public safety.
“I have witnessed numerous human rights abuses by the vigilance groups. While they started with good intentions, they gradually lost their way as they became entangled in contractual arrangements with political figures. If given the opportunity, I would strongly recommend the Commissioner of Police to scrutinize and evaluate the actions of OSPAC and other vigilance groups. Shockingly, many members of OSPAC are criminals,” Erivwede asserted.
The revelations made by Deputy Commissioner Erivwede shed light on a distressing reality plaguing Rivers State, calling for immediate action and accountability.
Civil society organizations and human rights advocates are expected to intensify their efforts to address these issues and ensure the protection of citizens’ rights.
As concerns over human rights abuses by vigilance groups mount, the public eagerly awaits the response of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police and other relevant authorities in addressing this critical matter.
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