SAPELE/Nigeria: Members of the Vigilante group of Nigeria (VGN) Sapele Chapter have refuted a newspaper publication made against them on page 44 of Thursday 21st February, 2019 edition of the Vanguard with the title “Vigilante kill Okada man for riding against traffic”.
In a press release made available to newsmen in Sapele by Mr. Obarakpo Obukohwo, the administrative officer of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, they expressed surprise at the alleged false publication, which they claimed has gone round the area to tarnish their image.
The group stated “We did not at anytime stop or kill any Okada rider in Sapele as reported by those correspondents of the vanguard. We are making this publication to enable the public know our position on the sad news which is the figment of the reporters imagination”.
They continued, “Our duty is to compliment the police and other security agents in controlling crime in the area, and never our duty to control traffic as alleged by those reporters. Though they have since apologized to us and other sisters security agencies including the police, I want to sincerely advise the authors of the report to always cross-check and as well carry out a thorough investigation before rushing to the press to avoid a libelous publication which is capable of damaging the reputation of innocent citizens”.
Vigilante Group explained that since they (reporters) have apologized, ordinary we would not have bothered to come out again with this publication, but for the damaging effect it has already caused us with the unsuspecting public who have already labeled us as evil men for a crime we did not commit, hence the necessity of this publication.
Meanwhile, the police in Sapele and other security agencies have since denied that such thing ever happened in the area and that the said reporters attention have been drawn to the damaging report and that one of them who reside in Sapele has also tendered an unreserved apology to all security agencies in Sapele with a promise to retract the said publication.
As at press time, residents of Sapele especially those of Amukpe area who read the publication are already at the throat of the vigilante for allegedly killing okada man which did not ever happened according to the police source and findings from hospitals in town.
