- says he is traumatized by the experience.
- Members are not trained and we are dealing with erring members, says state coordinator.
A resident of Ugbor community in Umagba has decried the abuse, intimidation and harassment melted on him by a member of the local vigilante group.
The incident happened on Friday, June 11 2021, at Ogunweyin Junction.
The victim, who does not want to be named for personal reasons, ran into a vigilante checkpoint and was asked to open his car boot.
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“I turned on my car inner light as I approached and greeted them”, the victim told Standard Gazette.
Four vigilante members were on duty, and one Mr Boyo, whom Standard Gazette learned is a secretary of the vigilante unit in the community, ordered the driver to turn off his car engine.
The problem started when Mr Boyo ordered the driver to raise the rug of his boot. One of his colleagues wanted to search, but the power drunken vigilante “shouted at him” and insisted the driver lift the rug.
“I told him he is the one that requested to check My boot, and I have opened it for him to check. Next, he said for saying that I will be delayed till 5:30am”
The out of control vigilante drove his Audi vehicle and block the driver, saying, “who are you to question me”.
As he returned from his vehicle, he angrily “hit me on my head right in the presence of his colleague.”
“I was very surprised about his action. He was shouting and raining all sorts of insults on me. Also, saying he lived in Liberia for 9yrs and that he buys pellets with his own money, that who was I to question him. That he will assault me as much as he wants and nothing will happen, that I’m a stupid man, using all sorts of derogatory words on me. He threatened to deal with me that I should ask of him. All the while, his mouth smells of alcohol. “
SG learned that none of his colleagues could control him as he is one of the principal officers of the unit. “I overheard one saying they should call his superiors to come to remove him from duty.”
“The traumatic experience kept me awake all through the night. I can not imagine a man raise his hands to assault me like I am defenceless.”
Edo Vigilante network was set up in January 2021 by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, to strengthen the state’s security architecture to deal with rising insecurity.
However, since it was launched, residents have complained of the inhuman treatments by the group.
On May 20, Standard Gazette reported how vigilante members, Osagie aka “Stone” and Charles Oseghale, also known as “Agada” killed two residents of Efehi Street, Off College Road Aduwawa Benin city.
The duo had been smoking cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) while at the same time drinking various alcoholic substances.
Stone reckless action killed a grandmother, Mrs Lucy Nwaorie and her customer, Mr Tony Bassey Imo.
The state Coordinator, Oboh Emmanuel Otoide, told Standard Gazette that he had been brief on the incident, assuring that any erring member of the group would be addressed.
“I got the report today. I am working on it; I have asked the driver to put his complaint in writing. I have told the commander to come with the Boyo and would be seeing him on Monday.
On the issues of crime by members of the group, the Coordinator said, “Before you condemn people, you should also commend them. Some of these issues are sponsored by criminals who don’t want this outfit to succeed.
Mr Otoide agreed that there had been some irregularities in the group but noted that none of the members had been given proper training.
He said the group had dismissed some members who had violated the operational standards and would keep taking residents complaints seriously.
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