Vigilantes: We are worried!

Whilst the President has moved in to call the military to complement the effort of the Sierra Leone Police in the combating of the armed robbery incident that has gripped the country we are equally concerned about the formation of militia groups in the country. The community vigilantes have been formed in the wake of uncontrolled armed robberies that has suddenly become a cause for national concern.

As it is, despite the seeming good intent of the whole undertaking, it however is a worrisome development, one that deserves thorough consideration by national security organs like the Sierra Leone Police and the Office of the National Security as the president has just impressed on them about the issue of armed robbery.

The truth, the development of militia could be seen as a loose cannon liable to backfire and culminate into anything much so when the country’s security could still be termed as vulnerable and susceptible to the slightest security threats.

In many places in the city vigilante groups have been formed to serve as guards against invading thieves and armed robbers that have been heaving untold problems on the lives of ordinary and peaceful citizen.  

Whatever it is, we must not be seen underestimating the influence such development would have on society. It is good that we don’t forget just quickly why the country experienced a prolonging of the past ten year brutal and baseless war; the institution of local militia invariably contributed in wrecking the mammoth damages on Sierra Leoneans who suffered in the war. 

For whatever reason that these vigilantes have been formed, their existence is just entirely illegal and intolerable in a civilized society like this. The Sierra Leone Police have the constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property in a very professional way. It is certainly not clear as to how this uprising militia could act in a consulate manner that will suit the comfort and the peace and comfort of society.

The reality is, even the so-called professionally trained “force for good”-the SLP has many problems of unprofessional conduct towards the lives and well being of the people as evident by the many lives that have been lost, properties destroyed due to the weird attitude of silly police officers.

If by evidence the SLP cannot be guaranteed to act professionally in saving lives and property in the country, how can it be guaranteed that vigilante groups opting to take over the security of the people would?

What is the guaranty that they will go out of the way in causing more harm than good or how would they know what motive is truly behind the current rise of militia groups in the city as it is with most pars of the country?

The central government cannot be left out on this. It is clear that all the excuses given by the young men forming these vigilante groups is that the police are not up to the task of securing their various localities and as such they are taking over their own security. Whilst it true that the police is directly responsible for internal security, it is also true that the government is responsible for  the wellbeing of its citizens. If for any reason the police is not seen serious or is ill-equipped in the discharge of its duties, then the government must be held responsible for such lethargy or deficiency someone may say.  

The formation of any militia group outside the police force and the military in a post war nation is no good deal in the guaranteeing of the peace and security of the nation or even the state. By the  way, forming vigilante sends out the ugly message that the people no longer have confidence in the regular police, an ugly recipe for peace and tranquility. As it is right now, suspicions are that it is some elements in the police force and military that carry out those calculated armed robberies that have resulted in this emerging ugly state of affairs.

Most often than not, robbers caught could either be in police gears or military fatigue, having mostly weapons similar to those carried by the military and police. This does not suggest though that the police and military are the ones behind the upsurge of armed robbery in the city and other parts of the country; but it is suggestive of the fact that this is the situation, more so the reason why the two forces must brace up to curb the double menaces of armed robbery and the upsurge of security militias and their negative impact on society.

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