Imo State governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has launched a special vigilante outfit christened ‘Imo Security Network’.
Inaugurating the outfit at the Ahijoku Convention center, Owerri yesterday, Governor Okorocha explained that the move is aimed at complimenting the efforts of the security agencies, Community vigilate groups as well as Traditional rulers who by the provisions of the Community government, are the Chief Security Officers in their respective Communities.
Said he; “Imo Security Network that is being inaugurated today is to compliment the efforts of security agencies and vigilante groups. They will also collaborate with the Traditional rulers whose positions as chairmen of the Community government Councils have placed them as chief security officers in their various Communities. These gentlemen will no longer live in their homes but in places that will be provided for them as barracks in nine locations across the State. They will introduce themselves to the people with phone numbers that will be dedicated for their operations and in any case of suspicion, they will be called upon for
prompt response. Each team will be attached to a police man to ensure that they operate within the ambit of the law”
The governor further said that his administration will not tolerate any form of indiscipline, extortion or harassment of innocent citizens and stressed the need for a synergy and healthy collaboration between the newly established Imo Security Network and other security agencies in the collective fight against crime in the State.
According to him, the operations of Imo Security Network will include locating the hideouts of kidnappers and other criminals by combing the forests and uncompleted buildings in all the nooks and crannies of the State.
He however urged the people to join the government in the war against crime in the State by volunteering useful information that will lead to the arrest of suspected kidnappers and other criminals.
Earlier in a speech, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Ifeanyi Nwachukwu said that Imo Security Network comprises 324 men drawn from the 27 Local Government Areas of the State and trained by the security department of the Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies [ICAPS] under the supervision of American Security experts.
Also present at the occasion is The Senior Special Assistant to the Imo State governor on Security [Administration], Barr Okey Okorocha and The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Adisa Bolanta who was represented by the Assistant Commissioner of police [Operations].