Abia State Government has announced that the state is engaging additional 7540 of its youths to join the Abia State Vigilante Services (ABVS). This is contained in a press statement issued by the state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu through his Chief Press Secretary, Godwin Adindu.
According to the statement, “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 7540 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.
The statement stressed that 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.”
On its effort to beef up security against inter-state crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery and organized gangs killing, the statement reads: “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.
Positive moves by ikpewazu! More needed to be done