The Cross River State Vigilante and Environmental Sanitation Corps, also known as Neighbourhood Watch, has clarified that this state-sponsored organisation does not compete with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), which is designed to assist the Nigeria Police in safeguarding lives, property, and preventing crime.
During a visit to Comrade Archibong Bassey, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, the commandant of Neighbourhood Watch, Bishop Dr. Mercy Felix Effiom, mentioned that the corps was officially registered with the Cross River government in 2016 and was recommended to Governor Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu on August 9, 2023.
Effiom emphasised that their responsibilities include providing information, apprehending criminals, and transferring them to the Police for further investigation and prosecution.
She also noted that, upon their recommendation to Governor Otu, the responsibility for comprehensive monitoring of environmental sanitation efforts was added to their duties.
“Our visit here today is premised on our resolved to get ourselves acquainted with all government agencies in a bid to have a harmonious and cordial working relationship; this will ensure protection of lives and property to meet up with the policy standard of our dear state.
“Our aim and objectives among others is to ensure the provision of environmental sanitation security, stop open defecation and carry out community policing and neighbourhood security services.
“We want to be identify with our approved name “Cross River State Vigilante and Environmental Sanitation Corps” (aka) Neighbourhood Watch. This is for the purpose of clarity to avoid further confliction in the society with “Vigilante Group of Nigeria operating from Abuja. We are the authentic and the only state vigilante security agency for Cross River State of Nigeria,” she stated.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of the state patroness of Neighborhood Watch award to Archibong Bassey, the state’s NUJ chairman, by the organisation.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
LP crisis: Details of Obi, Otti’s letter to INEC emerge