We’re Not IN Supremacy Tussle With Police, Vigilante Service
Omooba Risawe
The Vigilante Service of Ogun State,VSO, has explained rationale behind its establishment, which is to compliment the roles of the police and other security agencies towards effective war against criminals and crimes.
The Commander of the Service, Soji Ganzallo made the explanation at a 2-Day orientation programme for the newly appointed Commanders for Local Government’,held at the Vigilante Academy, in Ilaro.
Ganzallo while delivering a lecture titled,’A Virile Outfit: Understanding the Ethos and Ethics of Vigilante Service of Ogun State’,said there was no basis for any supremacy tussle with the police, stressing that, his men have to right to detain a suspect,but the responsibility of the police.
The VSO boss enlightened his men that after any arrest effected by the Vigilante Service, such suspect should be handed over to the police,stressing that, the rights of the people must not be trampled on at every point.
Hear him ‘We are to compliment the roles of the police and other security agencies, and we are not to engage in supremacy tussle. All arrest must be handed over to the police. We have no right to detain a suspect, but have right to arrest, and thereafter transfer to police. We don’t operate a cell,so we should not detain’
Ganzallo told his men that, a minimal force should be use to arrest,but ensure that there is need to be civil and not embark on torturing of any suspects
‘We cannot afford not to work with the police. If we do our work diligently, we will not have problem with the police. We must act without fair or favour’,he emphasised.
The commander also disclosed that, it has now become mandatory for all community guards in the state,to undergo a training with the service, explaining that, the service has already concluded arrangements with Ministry of Community Development that henceforth VSO would be posted as guards to all communities
‘We have collaborated with Ministry of Community Development in ensuring that our men are now to guard all communities in the state. Already, we are manning state government institutions, which include newly established model schools’,Ganzallo said.
