By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Security Committee has ordered vigilante groups across the territory not to use firearms.
This followed the introduction of a Code of Conduct barring members of the vigilante groups operating in communities within the Nation’s Capital, Abuja from using prohibited firearms.
The newly established Code of Conduct for members of the group by the committee, also prohibited the vigilante from carrying out any operation without the presence of the police or approval of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in their respective jurisdiction.
In a statement issued by the Director, Department of Information and Communication on Sunday, Muhammed Sule, said members of the Vigilante are permitted to possess and use weapons for self-defence or other lawful purposes as allowed by the Divisional Police Officer in their domain.
The new approved code requires that any member of the group, who recovers a hazardous weapon from a criminal suspect is expected to keep a detailed account and report to the police for further investigation.
At the 11 security meeting, chaired by the Minister of FCT, vigilante group are to make arrests of anyone, who violates the laws of the land as allowed under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
It agreed that any Community desirous of establishing a Vigilante group should apply and obtain the approval of the DPO within the locality.
On the recruitment of members of the vigilante group, the committee which is the highest decision-making body on security matters resolved that the process must be supervised by the Community Accountability Forum (CAF) /Security Committee of the community concerned.
The CAF is to ensure a fair representation of all segments of society and avoid religious, political, and ethnic persuasion.
The meeting also agreed that all those to be recruited must be properly profiled by the community leaders and Security agencies.
