The Delta State Government has warned community-based security operatives against abusing their powers, engaging in jungle justice or violating citizens’ fundamental rights, insisting that all security operations must comply with the law. The government said officers involved in misconduct would be held accountable as it strengthens community policing and intelligence gathering to tackle crime across the state.
Key Highlights
- Delta State Government warns community security operatives against abusing their powers.
- Executive Assistant on Security Matters, Udoka Emmanuel Chika-dibie, says officers must respect human rights and the rule of law.
- Newly commissioned Uvwie Security Surveillance officers are expected to support crime prevention and intelligence gathering.
- Government insists community surveillance groups must work with the police and other recognised security agencies.
- Residents are urged to report credible information rather than take the law into their own hands.
- Delta State is pursuing a multi-pronged approach to tackling cultism, kidnapping and violent crimes.
- Government says similar community security initiatives may be encouraged in other local government areas if properly structured and coordinated.
Delta Government Warns Security Operatives Against Human Rights Abuses
The Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Security Matters and Operations, Engr. Udoka Emmanuel Chika-dibie, MNSE, gave the warning in an exclusive interview with THE TRUMPET on Thursday while outlining the state government’s strategy for strengthening community-based security and tackling criminal activities.
His comments followed the inauguration of the Uvwie Security Surveillance Chapter in September, an initiative led by the Uvwie Local Government Chairman, Hon. Chief Anthony Ofoni, in collaboration with the Effurun Area Command.
The event also featured the passing-out and commissioning of surveillance officers expected to support crime prevention, intelligence gathering and community safety across Uvwie Local Government Area.
Addressing concerns about possible abuses by local security groups, Chika-dibie said both conventional security personnel and Delta State community security operatives must act professionally and respect the rights of residents.
“Security personnel, whether conventional or community-based, must respect the law and the fundamental rights of citizens. We expect discipline, professionalism, fairness and respect for human dignity from everyone involved,” he said.
“Any person who abuses the responsibility entrusted to them should be held accountable in accordance with the law.”
Uvwie Security Surveillance Initiative Targets Crime Prevention
Chika-dibie explained that community surveillance structures were established to strengthen cooperation between residents, local authorities and recognised security agencies, not to create parallel law enforcement institutions.
According to him, the newly commissioned officers are expected to remain vigilant, provide credible information to the appropriate authorities and help identify emerging security threats within their communities.
He stressed that the effectiveness of the initiative would depend on close cooperation with the Nigeria Police Force and other recognised security agencies rather than independent action outside established legal procedures.
The security aide also described community participation as a critical part of the state government’s broader efforts to protect lives and property.
He said government alone could not achieve effective security without the cooperation of local governments, traditional institutions, businesses, community leaders and conventional security agencies.
“The Uvwie initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when these stakeholders work together,” he said.
Uvwie, a major commercial and industrial area linked to Effurun, Warri and surrounding communities, occupies an important position in Delta State’s economic activities.
Chika-dibie said the government’s priorities in the area included improved security coordination, stronger intelligence gathering and faster responses to emerging threats.
“Our priority is to create an environment where residents can live peacefully and businesses can operate without fear,” he said.
Police, Community Security Groups to Improve Intelligence Sharing
The governor’s security aide said the state government would continue supporting the police and other relevant security agencies while encouraging regular communication between them and community surveillance structures.
He explained that the objective was to ensure that credible intelligence reached the appropriate authorities promptly and that reported threats received the necessary response.
According to him, residents often notice suspicious activities before they come to the attention of security agencies because they live and work within the affected communities.
He encouraged members of the public to report credible information to the relevant authorities but warned that intelligence gathering must be handled responsibly to avoid exposing innocent people to unnecessary risks.
“It is extremely important. People who live and work in communities are often the first to notice unusual activities. We therefore encourage residents to provide credible information to the appropriate security authorities,” he said.
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Delta Government Targets Cultism, Kidnapping and Violent Crimes
On the persistent challenges of cultism, kidnapping and other violent crimes in Delta State, Chika-dibie said the government was pursuing a multi-pronged approach combining law enforcement with measures to address factors that make young people vulnerable to criminal networks.
He maintained that policing alone would not be sufficient to resolve the state’s security challenges.
According to him, education, skills development, employment opportunities and community engagement are also necessary to reduce the risk of young people being recruited into criminal activities.
“We are approaching these challenges from different angles. Law enforcement remains important, but we must also address the conditions that make young people vulnerable to criminal networks,” he said.
He added that the government intended to complement security operations with initiatives that could reduce young people’s vulnerability to criminal recruitment.
Delta Government Warns Against Jungle Justice
Chika-dibie also cautioned residents against taking the law into their own hands, particularly when dealing with suspected criminals.
He stressed that community participation in security operations did not give residents or surveillance officers the authority to punish suspects, use unlawful violence or assume the powers of the courts.
“Nobody should take the law into their own hands. Community participation in security does not mean that citizens should become judges or use violence against suspected criminals,” he said.
“Any suspected criminal activity should be reported to the appropriate authorities. The rule of law must remain the foundation of our security efforts.”
His warning highlights the need for community-based security arrangements to operate within clear legal boundaries, especially as local surveillance initiatives become part of efforts to improve security at the grassroots.
More Delta Local Governments May Adopt Community Surveillance Model
Asked whether similar initiatives would be encouraged in other local government areas, Chika-dibie said the state government would continue assessing security needs across Delta State.
He said the government would support approaches capable of improving intelligence gathering, preventing crime and enabling faster responses to security threats.
However, he stressed that such initiatives must be properly structured, lawful and coordinated with established security agencies to contribute meaningfully to community safety.
Chika-dibie congratulated the newly commissioned Uvwie Security Surveillance officers and urged them to regard their appointments as a responsibility to serve the public rather than an opportunity to exercise unchecked authority.
He charged the officers to demonstrate courage, integrity and discipline while respecting human rights and building trust with the communities they serve.
“Their effectiveness will depend not only on their ability to identify threats but also on their capacity to build trust with the communities they serve,” he said.
Delta Government Reaffirms Commitment to Community Safety
The security aide reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening its security architecture through cooperation among government institutions, security agencies and local communities.
He said the administration’s objective was to ensure that residents could live, work and conduct business peacefully across Delta State.
“Our commitment is to continue strengthening the security architecture of the state and supporting the agencies responsible for protecting our people,” he said.
“We will continue to promote cooperation between government, security institutions and communities because sustainable security is a collective responsibility.”
The government’s warning places respect for human rights and accountability at the centre of its community security strategy, with the Uvwie initiative expected to support existing security agencies in preventing crime and protecting residents.
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