The Defence for Human Rights And Democracy(DHRD) has urged the Rivers state Commissioner of Police,CP Mustapha Bala to begin discreet survillance of offices and bases of all vigilante groups in the state over reports of torture, illegal detention and collection of bail money from persons/suspects.
Clifford Solomon,Chairman of DHRD made the demand in a statement on Thursday November 7th,2024.
The statement captioned
“DHRD UNCOVER HOW SUSPECTS ARE UNLAWFULLY DETAINED, TORTURED AND COLLECTING BAIL FEES BY SOME VIGILANTE GROUPS IN RIVERS STATE” read in part
“The Defence For Human Rights And Democracy (DHRD) has uncovered and several reports reaching us reveals that vigilante groups under different names in some local government areas including Port Harcourt are Operating detention facilities; where they torture, handcuffs,chain,detain suspect and collect bail money without handing over such suspects to the police. The vigilantes even dabble in all kind of matters including matters between husband and wife, land disputes and many are bow debt recovery agents.
“It seems though,they are not properly supervised by the Divisional Police Officers who are by law suppose to supervise the activities other vigilante groups.
“The law empowers citizens including vigilantes to arrest crime suspects when a crime is ongoing if they are not in danger to do and immediately hand over the suspect to the police or any other relevant security agency; but of late we have heard reports of vigilante groups even in Port Harcourt detaining suspects for days, collecting bail money without handing them over to the police.
“DHRD, urge the Rivers State commissioner of police and the Director of State Security Service to begin discreet surveillance of offices of these vigilante groups in Port Harcourt and other local government areas in the state to see things for themselves and ensure such vigilante groups that engages in these act are severely dealt with in accordance with the law.
“We specifically call on the Rivers State commissioner of police who recently arrested three female police officers for extortion to spread his vigilance with a view to apprehending vigilante groups engaged in illegal detention,collecting monies for bail as some of their victims are afraid to speak up.
“We equally call victims of such illegal detention to report such act higher police authority if they do not feel comfortable reporting to the Division incharge of the jurisdiction of the vigilante.Victims can also report to human rights groups for proper handling of the matter”.
The DHRD Chairman noted that as much as they acknowledge the roles played by vigilantes working under supervision of the police to combat crime,we warn that vigilante groups must not see themselves as “Above The Law”.
Mr Solomon added that DHRD will at all time and circumstances assist victims of such Cruel,Inhumane and Degrading treatment to get justice.