Rights Group Seeks Sweeping Amendments to Delta’s Dormant Community Security Corps Law

By Emmanuel Enebeli

ASABA/Nigeria: The Citizens Right Concern Enhancement Initiative, also known as the Human Rights Protection Congress, has called for a comprehensive amendment of key sections of the Delta State Community Security Corps Law, originally enacted in 2020. The group made its case at a robust public hearing convened by the Delta State House of Assembly on Friday, May 9, 2025.

Held at the Assembly Complex in Asaba, the hearing was organized by the Joint Committee on Special Bills and the Committee on Peace and Security to review the proposed amendment to the law, first signed under former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. The session drew participation from civil society actors, including legal and human rights advocates, who submitted memoranda to guide the legislative review.

Representing the Citizens Right Concern Enhancement Initiative, Barrister C.O. Jessa (Legal Adviser) and Edewor Egedegbe (Chairman, Board of Trustees) presented a detailed five-page memorandum that addressed structural and operational deficiencies in the current law. Their submission was praised by lawmakers for its clarity and depth, with assurances that the recommendations would be seriously considered in the bill’s final drafting.

The proposed amendment seeks to revive the Community Security Corps Agency, which the group noted has remained largely inactive since its establishment. “It is commendable that the law is being reawakened,” the group stated. “Nothing remarkable has been initiated or carried out by the agency since its passage.”

One of the group’s major concerns was the need for clearer language in Section 5 of the principal law. They advocated for replacing broad references to “communities” with “community leaders and members” to foster grassroots accountability and collaboration. They also proposed significant additions to Section 6(2), urging the inclusion of civil society organizations, persons with disabilities, women, traditional rulers, and representatives of the Hunters Association of Nigeria to ensure diverse and inclusive representation in the agency’s operations.

Highlighting the unregulated activities of vigilante groups across the state, the group recommended that the amended law should empower the agency to provide oversight and coordination of such informal security outfits.

To strengthen the corps’ manpower, the memorandum recommended an amendment to Section 7(g), calling for an increase in recruitment from 30 to 50 personnel per INEC ward across the local government areas, aimed at improving response capacity to community-based security challenges.

In terms of welfare, the group demanded a change in the wording of Section 22(3) from “may compensate” to “shall compensate” in instances where corps members suffer permanent injuries or incapacitation while on duty. They further proposed that instead of a one-time payment equivalent to 54 months’ salary, the law should guarantee a life benefit for affected personnel.

The group also raised concerns about the lack of clarity in Section 29(4), which fails to specify the government agency responsible for counterpart funding. They warned that such ambiguities could hinder the implementation and sustainability of the law, and urged lawmakers to provide specific institutional responsibilities in the revised version.

Speaking after the session, Edewor Egedegbe stressed the importance of continuous participation by civil society in the lawmaking process. “We must go beyond agonizing and start organizing. Our duty is to ensure the laws that govern Nigeria serve the people,” he said.

The group’s memorandum also emphasized the role of community and religious leaders in strengthening local security architecture. They highlighted the value of such actors in conflict mediation, trust-building, social cohesion, and community engagement. As such, they recommended that these stakeholders be formally recognized in the amended legislation.

Finally, the group urged that thorough background checks and profiling be made mandatory during recruitment into the corps to ensure only individuals of integrity and competence are enlisted—emphasizing that the effectiveness of the security initiative would rest squarely on the character of its personnel.

In response, the Joint Committee on Special Bills and Peace and Security applauded the Citizens Right Concern Enhancement Initiative for its insightful contributions and reaffirmed its commitment to producing a law that meets the evolving security needs of Delta State.