Determined to stem rising insecurity and prevent a recurrence of abductions, Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area in Rivers State, Abinye Pepple, has inaugurated a community-based vigilante outfit, codenamed Operation Protect Okoloama.
Pepple, who performed the inauguration on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at his office in Bonny, said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to reinforce security across the island LGA and complement existing security agencies.
He disclosed that each member of the newly formed force would receive a monthly stipend of N100,000, alongside plans to integrate various community vigilante groups under a unified command structure.
According to the council boss, the outfit is designed to strengthen grassroots surveillance and response, particularly in vulnerable riverine communities where difficult terrain and waterways have often been exploited by criminal elements.
Investigations indicate that members of the force underwent screening and profiling by relevant security agencies prior to their inauguration to ensure that only credible and disciplined individuals with strong community ties were enlisted.
Pepple reiterated his administration’s resolve to rid the area of kidnapping and related crimes, noting that the creation of the vigilante group reflects a commitment to translate assurances into concrete action.
The development follows recent security concerns in Bonny and surrounding areas, where cases of abduction and criminal activity have heightened fears among residents. The waterways and creeks, which serve as major economic routes, have also been identified as escape corridors for kidnappers.
Only recently, a kidnap victim was rescued in the area and presented at the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Bonny, an incident that drew public attention to the persistent threat of insecurity within the LGA. At the time, Pepple had vowed that such incidents would not be allowed to recur.
Observers say the launch of Operation Protect Okoloama signals a shift towards community-driven security measures, amid growing calls for localised solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.
Authorities have expressed optimism that closer collaboration between the vigilante force, conventional security agencies, and residents will enhance intelligence gathering and rapid response, ultimately improving safety and restoring public confidence.
