ASABA/Nigeria: The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, on Wednesday convened a high-level strategic security conference with Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Commanders and recognised security stakeholders across the state, as part of efforts to consolidate law enforcement operations and enhance community-based security collaboration.
The meeting, held on February 11, 2026, was disclosed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, ANIPR, FCIA, FIPMD, who said the engagement was aimed at reviewing the prevailing security situation and strengthening structured coordination between the Police and community security outfits.
Representatives of Man O War, Anti-Cult Units, the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service, Tropical Human Rights, Anioma Security Watch, as well as various recognised vigilante groups operating within Delta State, were in attendance.
Addressing participants, CP Aina Adesola commended vigilante members and community security volunteers for their commitment to supporting the fight against crime, particularly in the area of grassroots intelligence gathering and community surveillance.
However, the Commissioner made it unequivocally clear that the authority for any vigilante member to bear firearms rests solely with the Nigeria Police Force. He stressed that no vigilante group possesses an independent right to carry arms without Police authorisation and supervision.
He further directed that vigilante groups and affiliated organisations must operate strictly within the purview of the Police, warning that all security activities—including patrol operations and suspect handling—must be coordinated with the respective Divisional Police Officers in their jurisdictions to ensure legality, professionalism and accountability.
On detention procedures, CP Aina Adesola issued a firm warning, stating that vigilante groups have no legal authority to detain any individual under any circumstance. He directed that suspects apprehended by vigilante members must be immediately handed over to the nearest Police Division for proper investigation and lawful processing.
The Commissioner also raised concerns over membership integrity within vigilante structures, cautioning that individuals affiliated with confraternities or criminal associations cannot credibly claim to be partners in crime-fighting efforts. “The devil cannot fight the devil,” he declared, urging members to renounce unlawful associations if they are genuinely committed to supporting lawful security operations.
He called for unity among the various vigilante and community security groups, noting that rivalry or fragmentation undermines collective security outcomes. CP Aina Adesola emphasised intelligence gathering and timely information sharing with the Police as critical tools in preventing crime and maintaining public order.
The conference concluded with renewed commitments from participants to deepen synergy between conventional Police formations, tactical units and recognised community security stakeholders, anchored on professionalism, discipline and strict adherence to the law.
Reaffirming the Command’s resolve, the Commissioner assured residents of sustained, coordinated and lawful security operations aimed at protecting lives and property across Delta State.
