The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Yemi Oyeniyi, has cautioned members of vigilante organisations and other recognised security outfits against unlawful detention, torture, inhumane treatment and the misuse of their positions to resolve personal disputes.
The warning was issued on Wednesday during a strategic security meeting held with Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), patrol and guard officers, leaders of vigilante groups, forest guards and other recognised civil security organisations operating across the state.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, alongside other senior officers and members of the command’s management team, also attended the meeting.
According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the Commissioner emphasised that all security organisations must carry out their responsibilities within the confines of the law and maintain close coordination with the Nigeria Police Force.
Oyeniyi explained that community policing can only succeed when security agencies work together through coordinated operations, intelligence sharing and regular patrols.
He said, “Your operations must be conducted strictly within the law and coordinated with the Police. At the local level, your activities should be streamlined under the respective Divisional Police Officers because effective community policing depends on collaboration, sustained patrols and timely intelligence sharing.”
The police commissioner instructed the various security outfits to strengthen intelligence gathering and increase surveillance operations across forests, rural settlements and other vulnerable locations within the state.
He specifically directed them to sustain patrols along highways, waterways, railway corridors and bush paths to prevent criminal elements from using such routes to perpetrate crimes.
Oyeniyi further warned members of the security organisations against engaging in acts that violate the constitutional rights of citizens.
He reminded them that suspects arrested during security operations must be transferred immediately to the nearest police station for proper investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.
He said, “Persons arrested must be promptly handed over to the nearest police station. Security outfits must not be used to settle personal scores or engage in unlawful detention, torture or dehumanising treatment.”
The Commissioner also tasked leaders of the various security groups with ensuring discipline among their members and taking decisive action against anyone found engaging in criminal or unlawful conduct.
He urged them to identify and remove errant members from their organisations instead of shielding individuals who abuse their positions.
According to him, leaders must ensure that every member understands the legal boundaries of their responsibilities and remains accountable for their actions.
He said, “Leaders of these outfits must discipline their members, identify and remove criminal or errant elements from their ranks, and refrain from shielding anyone who acts outside the law.”
Reaffirming the Delta State Police Command’s commitment to collaborating with credible community-based security organisations, Oyeniyi disclosed that similar engagements would be organised across all local government areas of the state.
He said the initiative is intended to improve operational coordination, intelligence sharing and grassroots security across Delta State.
He added, “The engagement will be sustained and replicated across the local government areas to strengthen coordination, intelligence sharing and grassroots security across Delta State.”
