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By Christopher Oji
Following a series of kidnapping incidents and other prevailing state of insecurity in Aniocha South Local Government, Delta State, Ubulu-Uku community has launched an equipped Rapid Response Team( RRS), known as Ubulu-Uku Central Vigilante (UCV).
The UCV which emerged from the merger of earlier existing legacy vigilance groups in the town was officially launched at the weekend in ceremony witnessed by the police Area Commander in charge of Aniocha South, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dan Akpan among other dignitaries.
In the welcome speech (read on his behalf) the major convener of the the security initiative, Prince Uche Chiemeka (residing in United States) stated that one of the founding principles of the Ubulu-Uku Security Board (founder of the Ubulu-Uku Central Vigilante) is the fact that “a threat to one is a threat to all.
This is predicated on the fact, “that when criminal elements kidnap, rape or kill our people and continue to threaten our way of life, they do not ask which political party the victims belong. They do not ask which groups or associations they belong to, or support. Everyone is a fair game to them.
“This is one of the driving forces behind structuring the Security Board to be a completely non-political institution, with no established group affiliation in Ubulu-Uku, or anywhere else. It is an independent entity focused solely and objectively on providing security for our hometown, Ubulu-Uku. As such, participation by everyone is based on the recognition and acceptance that this institution does not endorse any political candidate, political institution, or any association groups.”
Speaking further, Chiemeka noted Ubulu-Uku in recent time has had several challenges, “but by the grace of God, we are on the path of healing and reconciliation. The Security Board offers an inclusive platform for ndi Ubulu to come together, pull our resources together and collectively eliminate this threat to our people and beloved homeland.”
According to him,”after several meetings and discussions with the various vigilante groups we had in Ubulu-Uku, they decided to lead by example by adopting the platform of a united security body focused solely on the protection of our homeland regardless of previous or current allegiance to other entities. This gave birth to the Ubulu-Uku Central Vigilante.”
Giving a further explanation on the emergence of the Ubulu-Uku Central Vigilante, one of the conveners and Chairman, Obiajulu Farms, Ubulu-Uku (an agro-based company), Mr. Chukwuyem Osu, said some Ubulu-Uku indigenes in the Diaspora collaborated with them to stop the proliferation of vigilance groups in the community and resolved to bring the existing ones into one larger and more formidable group which is now known as Ubulu-Uku Central Vigilante.
“We have chosen to place them on monthly salary, equip them, provide insurance coverage and make the group more formidable. We cannot sit down and watch criminals terrorize our community. Our objective is to make Ubulu-Uku safe for the citizens, visitors and others.
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Speaking through the palace secretary (Barr. Joseph Obazei) Ubulu-Uku Monarch, His Royal Majesty ,Obi Noah Chukwuka Akaeze 1, paid tribute to the conveners,who made it possible for the different vigilance groups to merge as one formidable entity, stressing that such a development was long overdue in the face of the escalating state of insecurity before now, in the community.
The King expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all Ubulu-Uku indigenes at home and in the Diaspora for their contributions in uplifting the community in several ways.
Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government, Pastor Jude Chukwuweike,also paid tribute to the security initiative conveners.
In a speech presented on his behalf by Hon. Chika Kelly Edozie, who represented him at the event, the local government boss promised to assist the community with more patrol vehicles, motor bikes and other security related equipment to aid their operations.
The Area Commander in charge of Aniocha South, ACP Dan Akpan noted that with the formal inauguration of the Ubulu-Uku Central Vigilante, peace was already at the door step of the community.
In his words, the Area Commander said, “like I usually tell people, security of every community is the responsibility of everyone, not only the police or other security agencies. This is why we have community policing, which is bringing policing to the door step of everyone even though police may not be physically there.”
The Area Commander commended the people of Ubulu-Uku for coming up with such initiative and pledged to collaborate with the Vigilante group at all times insofar as the operatives work in accordance with extant rules and regulations.
Commander of the Rapid Response Team (which is an integral part of Ubulu-Uku Central Vigilante) appreciated members of the Security Board for founding his team worthy of providing security for the community. On behalf of the group, he promised that kidnappers, Killer Herdsmen and other criminal elements would have difficult times ahead even as he advised the criminal elements to relocate henceforth.
The squad leader while commending ACP Akpan for promising to work with them, promised that henceforth, Ubulu-Uku farmers, women and others can access their farms and other bush areas without being afraid of kidnappers as the new Ubulu-Uku Central Vigilante members were ready to flush the deadly invaders out.
