The people of Akoba kindred in Otampa autonomous community, Isuikwuato LGA of Abia State, on Sunday, inaugurated a vigilante team under the leadership of the President-General, Osondu Idimaogu.
According to the community, the security initiative, championed by the present administration, was aimed at reinforcing community policing, safeguarding lives and property, and addressing security concerns in the village.
The Akoba people who said that the setting up of the local security team marks a new phase in grassroots security management, said the team would monitor and fight crime in the rural area, in collaboration with conventional Nigerian security agencies.
Reacting to the development, former Abia State Commissioner for Finance and indigene of Otampa, Richard Harrison said it was a bold step towards protecting Otamkpa from criminal activities like theft, cult-related violence and other forms of insecurity.
“Community policing has proven to be an effective model for curbing crime, and I believe this new vigilante team will build on the successes already achieved across Otampa”, said Harrison.
He further expressed optimism that the initiative would encourage development partners and enhance trust between the people and security agencies.
Harrison further said that there was a growing trend across Nigeria, where communities increasingly rely on local security structures to complement overstretched government forces in the fight against criminality.
Abia community inaugurates vigilante team to address security concerns
