Olayiwola Matthew
On April 12, a joint security team comprising the Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, DSS, and NSCDC launched a coordinated operation to clear criminal camps in Ipo and Igwuruta-Ali, Ikwerre LGA, Rivers State. They destroyed the hideouts, arrested one suspect, and recovered significant weapons and equipment.
The haul included: one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, 274 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, four cartridges, native bulletproof materials, communication radios, and other items.
The pump-action gun, police said, is suspected to be owned by the leader of a local vigilante group called OSPAC allegedly abducted when he led his men to confront bandits last week. Several miscreants fled before the arrival of security operatives. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects and rescue the kidnapped victim.
This is the complexity of Nigeria’s security crisis: vigilantes become targets; their weapons end up in criminal hands; and the state must dismantle networks while protecting those who try to help.
