Political vigilantes, land guards become armed robbers at night – Deputy IGP

Deputy Inspector General of Police, COP Mr James Oppong Boanu has established that the unruliness of political vigilantes who mostly act as land guards during the day has reached a point where they also operate as armed robbers at night.

He made this known during the meeting involving the NPP and NDC who today resumed the dialogue on ending the unlawful activities of political vigilantism in the country

The two parties agreed to commence the discussion with key stakeholders and experts including representatives of Civil Society Organisations, security agencies and religious bodies.

The police service, who was duly represented today at the meeting pointed to the fact that these gangs act as land guards in the day but at night, they are robbers and criminals; a situation which threatens the security of law abiding citizens.

“What the vigilantes are doing is to provide Police Service and that has to be approved by parliament. This is unlawful. Most of the times you find members of these vigilante guys being used as body guards because some political party members do not trust us. People are employed to go and guide land and one of the most dangerous thing is they’ll use all means including killing. The land guards during the day change their color to become armed robbers at night”. he reiterated.

Mr James Oppong Boanu in his presentation also identified that not punishing these vigilante criminals is a threat to national security as it erodes confidence of citizens in law enforcement and criminal justice system.

By this, he referred to Article 200 clause 2 of the 1992 constitution which condemns the act of persons parading themselves as policemen in this case, vigilantes taking the law into their own hands.

Meanwhile, in a quest to disband and prohibit the further establishment of vigilante groups in the country, a vigilantism bill has been laid before Parliament for consideration and approval by the House.

The said bill has currently been handed to the Constitution, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to be considered under a certificate of urgency.