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Engages extra 7,540 youth
vigilantes
A far-reaching measure
was unfolded on Thursday, by the Abia State Government to safeguard its
citizens from Nigeria’s latest killing machine, the Fulani herdsmen, who have
been on rampage in parts of the country, leaving behind trails of sorrow, blood
and death.
It includes an order by
the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for the immediate infusion of 7,540
youths, 10 each to be produced by the traditional rulers of the 754 communities
in the state for immediate enlistment into the Abia State Vigilante Services (ABVS).
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| Governor Ikpeazu of Abia State. |
The governor’s
directives, which was conveyed by his spokesman, Godwin Adindu, said: "All
Traditional Rulers in the state have been directed to submit names of 10
able-bodied youths from their community to the Commissioner for Local
Government and Chieftaincy Affairs from Tuesday 10th to Wednesday 11th May
2016. These youths will be enlisted into the Abia State Vigilante Services
(AVS) to further boost community policing in the state."
“There are 754 recognized
traditional rulers in Abia State and the 7,540 able-bodied men to be enlisted
into the State Vigilante services are expected to join the existing members of
the service that will be deployed to various communities for policing after two
weeks intensive training.
“Governor Ikpeazu has also directed the men of
the Abia State Vigilante Services (AVS) to commence, with immediate effect, a
two week intensive training, for onward deployment to our communities to assist
in community policing under the supervision of the Commissioner of
Police."
The statement also spoke
on the government’s effort to beef up security against inter-state crimes,
including kidnapping, armed robbery and organized gangs killing.
It said: "Law
enforcement agencies have been mandated to search and monitor all trucks and
vehicles conveying livestocks, food items and persons into the state from any
part of the country with a view to preventing inter-state movement of arms and
terrorists.
"The law enforcement
agencies will also search and monitor markets and settlements where livestocks
and dealers are located, to ensure security.
"The Governor of
Abia State has approved the constitution of a Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict
Resolution Committee.
"The Commissioner of
Police will head the committee at the state level. Other members of the
committee are: The Brigade Commander, State Director of DSS, State Commandant
of the NSCDC, the Naval Commander, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security,
Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, State Chairman of Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN), Myati Allah cattle dealers representative and
Sarikin Hausa.
"The State Governor
has also directed the constitution of Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict Resolution
Committees in the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
"The Local
Government chairmen will head the committees in their LGAs. Other members of
the committees include; Divisional Police Officers in the LGAs, Local
Government NSCDC heads, the DSS Local Government Chiefs, LGA Chairmen of
Traditional Rulers Council and LGA Heads of Hausa communities.
“Governor Ikpeazu,
however, called on Abians, especially those living and doing business at Aba,
to remain claim.
“He reassured them that
the government is doing everything to protect lives and property of citizens as
well as prevent further disruption of peace.
Source Whirlwindnews.com
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