The State Commandant of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN, Rivers State Command, has called on the State Government, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi to embrace VGN and its selfless and sacrificial efforts in combating crimes and other social vices in order to enjoy relative peace in all nooks and crannies of the state.
The State Commandant, Manbo T. Wilcox who made the call at the end of its state and the Local Government Exco’s meeting in Port Harcourt, urged the state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, to endeavour to look at the several letters they have sent to him as regards the integration and provision of necessary tools that are needed by their body to continue to fight crime in collaboration with other security agencies which is paramount in his administration.
Wilcox, further drew the attention of the state governor on recent developments in the state as regards security, where men of the VGN in ONELGA and Degema Local Government Area respectively, where able to fish out the killers of some security agents and alerted the Nigeria police on a planned kidnap which letter took place, days after and the relative peace, that is returning in Ogoni Land, after the realization of the people that VGN was never set-up to antagonize anybody, but to ensure peace and security at the grassroots.
Wilcox, also called on the state government to borrow a leaf from Niger and other states of the federation that have integrated VGN by empowering them, through the provision of arms, vehicles and other welfare packages for the men and officers of Vigilante Group, to enhance their performance.
He pleaded with the governor not to allow the selfless efforts and sacrifices of fellow Rivers men and women who have toiled day and night with their personal resources to bring the VGN to where it is today in the state, to go in vain.
Wilcox was optimistic that with his men on ground in all the nooks and crannies of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, kidnapping, robbery and other social vices in the state, will be a thing of the past. Once VGN is recognized and empowered by the state government, those perpetrating the acts are people from communities and will be fished out by his men in such community.
He further called on traditional rulers in the state to embrace VGN in their respective localities as a sure bet to peace and security, especially now that election is around the corner.
Wilcox further commended the National Assembly for its speedy action to have a better welfare packages for men and officers of VGN for their selfless contributions to enhance security at the grassroots.
By Blaise Elumezie
