Commandant, Cross River State Neighbourhood Watch, otherwise known as State Vigilante and Environmental Sanitation Corps, Bishop Dr Mercy Felix Effiom, has clarified that the organisation is not competing with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), which is designed to assist Nigeria Police to safeguard lives and property.
The commandant disclosed this during a media briefing with journalists at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre yesterday in Calabar.
Effiom disclosed that the corps officially registered the organisation with the Cross River State government in 2016 under the past administration of former Governor Liyel Imoke and got the recommendation from the present administration of Gov. Bassey Otu on August 9, 2023.
She enumerated the organisation’s responsibilities to include providing information, apprehending criminals, and handing them over to the police for investigation and prosecution.
She also noted that, upon their recommendation to Governor Otu, the responsibility for comprehensive monitoring of environmental sanitation efforts was added to their duties.
“Our visit here today is premised on our resolve to get acquainted with all functional agencies to have a harmonious and working relationship.
“Our aims and objectives among others, are to ensure environmental sanitation security, stop open defecation and carry out community policing and neighbourhood security services.
“We want to be identified with our approved name “Cross River State Vigilante and Environmental Sanitation Corps” (aka) Neighbourhood Watch.
” This is for the purpose of clarity to avoid further conflict in the society with “Vigilante Group of Nigeria operating from Abuja. We are the authentic and the only state vigilante security agency for the Cross River State of Nigeria,” she maintained.
The organisation also presented an award of honour to the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Comrade Archibong Bassey, for her tremendous contribution to the development of society.
