Members of the Delta State Community Security Corps have appealed to the Delta State Government to pay their outstanding stipends, alleging that they have remained on active security duties for about five years without remuneration despite assisting security agencies in combating crime across the state.
The appeal was made during an executive meeting of the Corps, where members also called for operational vehicles, regular training, improved welfare, and inclusion in the proposed state police structure.
Speaking on behalf of the Corps, the State Second-in-Command, Dr. Lucky Akeni, said members were enlisted into the outfit on June 20, 2020, during the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, but received stipends for only four months.
According to him, the state government established the Corps, profiled members, issued them uniforms, boots, identity cards and operational vehicles, and opened bank accounts for them before the payments stopped.
“We were enlisted into the Corps on June 20, 2020. The government created this outfit and provided us with vehicles, boots, uniforms and identity cards. We were documented, profiled and bank accounts were opened for members in UBA. We received stipends for about four months, but since then, we have not received any payment despite the fact that we are still working,” Akeni said.
He maintained that members of the Corps had continued to work with police divisions, area commands and local government authorities across Delta State, adding that their activities could be verified by the Nigeria Police.
“Our members are actively working across different police divisions, area commands and local government areas. This can be verified by the police. Although this is a voluntary service, we joined because we want to protect our communities,” he added.
Akeni urged the state government to consider members of the Corps for enlistment into the proposed state police, noting that they had already undergone government profiling and biometric registration.
He explained that many members had served as community security volunteers long before the establishment of the Corps.
“We started this security work as volunteers without expecting payment. Many of our members came from different security outfits such as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria. Most of us have personal businesses and jobs. We have been serving voluntarily since 2004, even before this Corps was established,” he said.
Highlighting the Corps’ contributions to security, Akeni said members had participated in several successful rescue operations, including the rescue of kidnapped victims in Ughelli and Ododegho communities.
He disclosed that two members sustained gunshot wounds during one of the operations.
“One of our members, Solomon Udo, was shot in the hand, while another member, Yite, sustained a gunshot injury to the leg. We spent almost ₦4 million treating them after the promised government support did not materialise,” he alleged.
Akeni also appealed to the government to organise regular training for members to improve their operational capacity.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Corps in Uwheru, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Mr. Goodluck Ose, lamented that members had remained unpaid despite years of service.
“We were only paid a four-month stipend. After that, nothing was done. How can somebody be working without eating? We are all family men,” he said.
Ose claimed that members had recovered stolen vehicles and other valuables during security operations, adding that they played a key role in restoring peace along the Ughelli–Patani Expressway when criminal activities were rampant.
Asked whether members had received any payment in the last five years, he replied, “Yes. For the past five years, we have not been paid anything.”
Another member, Avia Rafael Aghogho, said the operational vehicles supplied to the Corps at inception had broken down, forcing members to rely on personal resources while carrying out security duties.
“The vehicles that were given to us for swift movement have all broken down. We were only paid stipends for about four months when the Community Security Corps was established during the previous administration. Since then, the stipends have stopped,” he said.
Aghogho urged the government to provide operational vehicles, equipment and other logistics to enable members respond effectively to security threats.
He also appealed for the integration of Corps members into the proposed state police, saying they had already undergone biometric registration and documentation by the state government.
Another member, Mr. Ede I, said he had sustained multiple injuries while carrying out security operations but remained committed to protecting lives and property.
“Through this work, I have sustained several injuries. If you look at my head and my back, you will see injuries I suffered while carrying out this job,” he said.
He appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to improve the welfare of members by paying their outstanding stipends and providing adequate support.
The Delta State House of Assembly passed the bill establishing the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency on June 20, 2020, while former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa assented to the legislation on July 29, 2020, making it law.
