By Prince Wiro
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State,CP Olugbenga Adepoju has urged residents who have clue about vigilantes and OSPAC offices where suspects are detained,to report to the Police for appropriate action.
CP Adepoju who was responding to questions on the validity of detention of suspects by local vigilantes,during Citizens Engagement On Police Reform In Nigeria South-South on Thursday 30th January,2025 asserted that vigilantes like any other law abiding individauls can arrest a suspect committing a crime but the suspect(s) must be handed over to the Police.
CP Adepoju disclosed that the law does not empower local vigilantes to detain and collect money for bail from suspects but they can arrest someone committing a crime and hand over to the Police.
The Rivers Police Boss stated that as much as the Police recognizes the efforts and usedulness of the vigilantes in crime fighting,the security outfit must operate within the confines of the law.
“We are doing alot to address the issue of detention of suspects by vigilantes/OSPAC.We are aware of it.It has drastically reduced as we are sanctioning Divisional Police Officers where such incidents occur” CP Adepoju said.
The Rivers Police Boss also gave out phone numners of Police units to call if there are complaints against the activities of Police officers or the above subject matter
Commissioner of Police Monitoring unit:08033383997
Commissioner of Police X-Squad
08032771100
Police Public Relations Officer
08161355218
Complaints Response Unit
07057605209
07057605256
08120822987
07072323049