Members of the Delta State Community Security Corps (DSCSC) have accused the Delta State Government of abandoning the outfit after paying stipends for only four months, despite their continued involvement in security operations across the state for about five years.
The aggrieved personnel made the allegation during an executive meeting of the Corps held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, where they appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to settle their outstanding entitlements, provide operational equipment, organise regular capacity-building programmes and consider members for recruitment into the proposed state police.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the State Second-in-Command of the Corps, Dr. Lucky Akeni, said the security outfit was formally established by the administration of former Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa in 2020, with members duly recruited, profiled and equipped by the state government.
According to Akeni, members received uniforms, boots, identity cards, operational vehicles and had bank accounts opened for them before stipends were paid for only four months.
“We were enlisted into the Corps on June 20, 2020. Government profiled us, issued identity cards, uniforms, boots, operational vehicles and opened bank accounts for members. We were paid stipends for only four months and since then nothing has been paid, yet we have remained on active duty,” he said.
He maintained that members continue to collaborate with police divisions, area commands and local government authorities across Delta State, insisting that their contributions to internal security could easily be verified by the Nigeria Police.
“Although ours is largely voluntary service, we have continued because we are passionate about protecting our communities. The police can confirm that our members are actively involved in security operations across the state,” he stated.
Akeni argued that the Corps should not be overlooked when the proposed state police eventually takes off, noting that members had already undergone government profiling and biometric registration.
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“As discussions on state policing gather momentum, we believe those of us who have already been accredited by the government deserve to be integrated into the state police structure.”
Responding to questions on why members had remained committed despite the absence of stipends, he explained that many of them had been volunteering in community security long before the Corps was officially created.
“We have been doing this work since 2004 as volunteers. Many members came from organisations like the Vigilante Group of Nigeria. Most of us have personal businesses and other means of livelihood, but we chose to continue serving our communities.”
Akeni highlighted several operations carried out by the Corps, including the rescue of kidnapped victims in Ughelli and surrounding communities.
He disclosed that members rescued two kidnapped twins in Ughelli and later freed four other kidnap victims—two men and two women, including a nursing mother—from a forest in Ododegho.
The operations, he said, came with heavy sacrifices.
“Two of our members were shot with AK-47 rifles during one of the rescue missions. Solomon Udo sustained a gunshot wound to his hand, while another operative, Yite, was shot in the leg.”
According to him, former Governor Okowa visited the injured personnel at the Central Hospital, Ughelli, and directed that they should receive treatment under a complimentary medical arrangement, but members eventually funded the treatment themselves.
“We spent close to ₦4 million treating our injured colleagues and we have not been refunded till today. Both the former governor and the present governor are aware of what happened because they visited the victims.”
He further revealed that the Corps previously mounted security checkpoints at strategic locations, including Evwreni and Ododegho Junction, where stop-and-search operations helped reduce criminal activities in the area.
Despite these contributions, he lamented that members had never received refresher training or additional operational support from government.
“Our greatest need is training. We are already carrying out security responsibilities, but without continuous training and modern equipment, our effectiveness will be limited.”
Also speaking, the Uwheru Coordinator of the Corps in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Mr. Goodluck Ose, described the situation as disheartening, saying members had continued to risk their lives without financial support.
“We were paid for only four months after we received our identity cards. Since then, nothing has been paid. We are family men. It is difficult for people to continue working without any form of welfare.”
He appealed to the Delta State Government to engage the Corps and address its concerns.
According to him, members had recovered stolen vehicles, machinery and other valuables during various operations while also helping to restore security along the Ughelli–Patani Expressway.
“There was a period when criminals almost made the Ughelli–Patani Road impassable. We stood our ground and contributed significantly to restoring peace on that route.”
Another operative, Avia Rafael Aghogho from Uwheru Kingdom, lamented that the operational vehicles initially supplied by government had broken down, forcing members to rely on personal resources.
“The vehicles given to us when the Corps was established are no longer functional. We now spend our own money maintaining uniforms and providing basic logistics.”
He stressed that inadequate equipment had made security operations increasingly difficult.
“We need operational vehicles and other security equipment. Fighting kidnappers without adequate logistics puts our lives at greater risk.”
Aghogho also urged the government to absorb Corps members into the proposed state police, noting that they had already undergone biometric registration and were officially recognised by the state.
Another member, Mr. Ede I, recounted the physical injuries he had sustained while carrying out security duties.
“I have injuries on my head and back because of this work. Yet I remain committed because if we abandon our communities, criminals will take over.”
He also recalled an operation in which members confronted armed criminals disguised as military personnel.
Appealing directly to Governor Oborevwori, he said members deserved better welfare after years of sacrifice.
“I have children depending on me. We have risked our lives to keep our communities safe. We appeal to the governor to remember us by paying what we are owed, improving our welfare and providing the support we need.”
The Delta State Community Security Corps was established following the passage of the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency Bill by the Delta State House of Assembly on June 20, 2020. The bill subsequently received the assent of former Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on July 29, 2020, giving legal backing to the establishment of the agency.
