The Federal Government of Nigeria decision to train all the Vigilante Groups of Nigeria (VGN) for effective security of the country has been described as a welcome development, urging the government to include the Man O’ War in the plan.
This was the view of the Man O’ War Deputy National Commandant, Intelligence, Operation and Monitoring, Abuja, Commander Rev, Amb. Kriss Natty Risi in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
According to him, “It is important that all the security outfits are considered and brought under one umbrella and trained to combat criminal challenges confronting the nation”.
He stated further that Man O’ War which had been in existence since 1951 training youths corpers deserves to be considered to carry arms like other paramilitary agencies of the security outfit because as he put it, criminals have gone nuclear and carry sophisticated weapons.
“There is no way one can confront criminals with sophisticated weapons with our bare hands”.
Commander Risi also stated that it is necessary that the Neighbourhood Security Watch Agency which is an outcome of the Rivers State House of Assembly act should equally be considered alongside other vigilante groups for adequate prevention and control of crime at the grassroot.
With regards to the mosque demolition controversy, Commander Risi supported the governor’s action, adding that even if the land had been allocated to the Muslims, that land anywhere in the State belongs to the government provided it is meant for public interest.
The commander narrated how he himself had almost bought a landed property at Igwuruta area of the State but was informed at the last minutes that the said property fell into the Great Port Harcourt zone and he quickly abandoned the deal.
“Government has the right to demolish even an erected building and perhaps pay compensation to the owners”.
He made it clear that the Muslim leaders would have gone to court and perhaps gotten approval but that government has the overriding powers to say “No”, adding that government has every right to take any land they have interest in.
Commander Risi stated further that those who wants to mix the demolition of the on-going building with the governor’s pronouncement that Rivers State is a Christian State are mischievous persons who are bent on dragging the Rivers State Government into a religious war where none exist.
He used the opportunity to advise the governor to remain focus and continue to dish out the democratic dividends to the people to the best of his ability.
