The Igbo National Council, INC, has advised the authorities to fully engage local vigilantes in the ongoing operation to rescue the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members abducted in Imo State.
The INC gave the advice through its National President, Chilos Godsent, in a press statement while reacting to the development.
The group commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for the quick response, as well as the deployment of operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to immediately locate and rescue the victims.
The INC stated that it particularly welcomed the deployment of additional police leadership and tactical teams to strengthen the operation.
However, as a matter of urgency, the group called on the police and other security agencies to incorporate credible and properly vetted community vigilantes into the ongoing rescue operations, particularly those with detailed knowledge of the surrounding forests, bushes, communities, routes and difficult terrains.
The INC noted that community-based security personnel can provide valuable local intelligence and guide conventional security forces through areas that may be difficult to identify or access without local knowledge.
It maintained that the involvement of community-based security outfits would go a long way in fast-tracking the rescue mission.
“Also engage traditional rulers, community leaders and credible local security structures for actionable information.
“Members of the public and families of the affected victims should be adequately informed of developments.
“Ensure that the perpetrators, when apprehended, are brought to justice in accordance with the law,” the group stated.
The INC also used the medium to appeal to residents and members of the public who possess credible information capable of assisting the rescue operation to promptly share such information with the appropriate security authorities.
The group added that it stands in solidarity with the affected families and called for the safe, unconditional and immediate rescue of all the victims.
—By Williams Odunze
