The Azikiwe Police Station along Iloabuchi Street in Diobu, Port Harcourt has detained two members of a vigilante group over reports of stolen battery at nearby Ekwulobia Street in Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt last weekend.
The detained vigilante members, whose identities were yet to be ascertained before press time, were said to be securing some sections of Ekwulobia Street before the batteries were declared missing by its owner and resident of the street.
National Network gathered that the owner of the battery came out in the morning to drive his vehicle only to notice that his car battery had been stolen despite the fact that the street has vigilante outfit in place. A source in the area who spoke to National Network on condition of anonymity explained that the resident accused the security men of complicity.
One of the vigilante members who did not want his name in print revealed that the security outfit has not been paid for two months which dampened the morale of the members and also made them ineffective.
He further averred that “even the man alleging that his car battery is missing is among the people who have not paid the two months security fee”.
Our source revealed that other members of the vigilante have absconded following the arrest of the two members.
A Police source who confirmed the arrest of the vigilante members, added that the suspects have been granted administrative bail while investigation into the matter is ongoing and anybody found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance to the law.
The Police source added that the vigilante group will also be disbanded if any of the members are found complicit in the crime.
Investigations show that each compound in the street pays three thousand five hundred naira monthly as security fee to the vigilante committee and the security personnel are expected to take responsibility for any stolen items within the period of their operation which is 7pm to 6am in morning.
