The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, has declared that vigilante groups operating in the state have no legal authority to detain suspects, warning that any apprehended person must be immediately handed over to the nearest Police Division for lawful processing.
The CP gave the directive on Wednesday during a high-level strategic security conference held at the Command headquarters with Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Tactical Commanders and recognised security stakeholders across the state.
Firmly addressing the issue of detention, CP Adesola stated unequivocally that it is illegal for vigilante members to detain any individual under any circumstance. He emphasised that all security activities, including patrols and suspect handling, must be carried out strictly under Police coordination to ensure accountability and compliance with the law.
The Commissioner further clarified that the authority for any vigilante member to carry firearms rests solely with the Nigeria Police Force. According to him, no vigilante group has an independent right to bear arms without Police authorisation and supervision.
Participants at the meeting included representatives of Man O War, Anti-Cult Units, the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service, Tropical Human Rights, Anioma Security Watch, as well as recognised vigilante groups operating within Delta State. The conference was convened to review the prevailing security situation, strengthen operational coordination and reinforce collaboration between the Police and community-based security organisations.
While appreciating the contributions of vigilante members and community security volunteers to grassroots intelligence gathering and crime prevention, the CP cautioned against any form of operational independence from the Police.
He also raised concerns about membership integrity within vigilante structures, warning that individuals affiliated with confraternities or criminal groups cannot credibly claim to fight crime. “The devil cannot fight the devil,” he said, urging members with unlawful associations to renounce them if they genuinely intend to support legitimate security efforts.
CP Adesola called for unity among the various vigilante and community security groups, noting that rivalry and fragmentation undermine collective security outcomes. He stressed the importance of intelligence gathering and timely information sharing with the Police as critical tools in crime prevention.
The conference ended with renewed commitments to strengthen synergy between conventional Police formations, tactical units and recognised community security stakeholders, with an emphasis on professionalism, discipline and strict adherence to the law.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Delta State and assured residents of sustained, coordinated and lawful security operations aimed at maintaining peace and public order.
