Condemnation has trailed the invasion of Nonwa Training ground of the Neighbourhood Watch Safety Corps by the military.
Joining the list of groups/individuals who had flayed the action of the security operatives is the Coalition of Political Parties (CPP) for Governor Wike/Felix Obuah Leadership Styles who in a press briefing in Port Harcourt expressed shock that an outfit which was a product of law enacted by the Rivers State House of Assembly would be rudely disrupted at their training groud at NYSC Camp, Nonwa Gbam, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In their statement which was read by Comrade Kukang Joseph Ledum Initiator/Secretary-General of the body, CPP said the Neighbourhood Safety Corps was legally constituted and approved by law of parliament to help as watch dog, to assist in curbing crimes and giving useful information to relevant security outfits as a means of reducing criminal activities to the barest minimum across the 23 local government areas of the state.
The Secretary-General who was flanked by other executive members of the coalition further disclosed that the Neighbourhood Safety Corps was meant to provide over 5000 jobs to the teeming youths, thereby reducing the rate of unemployment in the State.
Having been established based on these lofty ideas, CPP which is working for the institutionalization of good governance in Rivers State and Nigeria said the disruption of the safety corps has left them in fear, disbelief and trepidation, stressing that the military action was an act of lawlessness, total disregard for the rule of law and impunity of the highest order.
The body further reasoned that the military action looks like a test of what to come in the 2019 general election, using what happened in Ekiti and Osun States during their governorship elections where the military allegedly displayed partisanship, as examples.
CPP also made reference to the alleged military disruption and invasion of Ogoniland, Odi and Zaki Biam communities, describing it as the height of repression which could only be witnessed in a draconian military regime.
The coalition called on the Minister of Defence, Chief Army Staff, National Human Rights Commission, President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately intervene and call the military authority to order, stressing that they should stop further violent harassment or disruption of peace in Rivers State.
CPP reiterated its total support for the establishment of Nieghbourhood Safety Watch Corps by the Government of Rivers as is obtained in other States of the federation to help fight crimes and criminality.
Other members of CPP with the Secretary General during the press briefing were; Chief Collins Ndegwe – Providence Peoples Congress (PPC), Sorbani Kue Bene (AUN), Alali Godspower Ikpoemugh (ANDP) and Hon. Sodienye Amah Pepple (BNPP).
