There was palpable tension in Enugu on
Wednesday as the state began the recruitment of neighbourhood watch
members in all its communities.
Our correspondent learnt that a total of
25,000 persons, mostly able-bodied young men, are to be recruited
across the state to form neighbourhood security outfits.
No fewer than 50 persons are to be selected to serve in each of the 470 communities in the state.
Our correspondent gathered that the development followed a directive by the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Although, the plan to form the security
outfits was mostly informed by the need to forestall herdsmen attacks in
the state, our correspondent learnt the move was also to check other
criminal activities.
The selected neighbourhood watch members
are to be trained by retired military and police officers on basic
security procedures, including handling of light weapons, among others.
An undisclosed sum would be paid to the
neighbourhood watch members, as stipend from contributions that would be
made by the state government, local councils and the communities.
Our correspondent gathered that although
many people welcomed the establishment of the neighbourhood security
outfit, the method being used in selecting members is causing tension
and disaffection in various communities.
It was learnt that traditional rulers
have been asked to recruit the 50 persons that would make up their
community security units. Sources in some of the communities revealed
that some prominent community members were opposed to the arrangement.
They fear traditional rulers might fill the entire slots with their
cronies.
A chief in one of the communities in the
Nkanu area of Enugu, who did not wish to be named, told our
correspondent, “It is a known fact that most of the traditional rulers
are not on good terms with their subjects, and as a result of this, it
would not be safe to allow them to pick members of the neighbourhood
watch.
“Tomorrow, they can turn those boys into a private army and use them to victimise their opponents or anybody they don’t like.”
The President of Nsukka Development Congress, Chief John Onyishi, voiced similar concerns in a chat with journalists.
Onyishi said, “Over 50 per cent of
traditional rulers in Enugu State are engaged in disputes with their
chiefs and other subjects.
“Nobody will allow his enemy to guard
him and asking traditional rulers to produce names of such neighbourhood
watch members is suicidal. It is like committing mass suicide.”
Another community leader in the Udi
area, who equally spoke on the matter but wished not to be named, said
other stakeholders, apart from the traditional rulers, should be allowed
to contribute to the selection of members of the neighborhood watch
units.
When contacted over the development, the
Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, Mr.
Louis Amoke, said he would get back to our correspondent. But he had not
done that as of the time of filing this report.
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