Members of the Delta State Community Security Corps (DSCSC) have appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to address what they described as five years of unpaid stipends, despite their continued participation in security operations across the state since the Corps was established in 2020.
The appeal was made during an executive meeting of the Corps held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, where members urged the state government to settle their outstanding entitlements, provide operational vehicles and security equipment, organise regular capacity-building programmes, and consider eligible personnel for recruitment into the proposed state police.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the State Second-in-Command of the Corps, Dr. Lucky Akeni, said the outfit was established under the administration of former Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, with members duly recruited, profiled and equipped by the Delta State Government.
According to him, the government issued identity cards, uniforms, boots, operational vehicles and facilitated the opening of bank accounts for members before paying stipends for only four months.
“We were enlisted into the Corps on June 20, 2020. Government profiled us, issued identity cards, uniforms, boots, operational vehicles and opened bank accounts for members. We were paid stipends for only four months and since then nothing has been paid, yet we have remained on active duty,” Akeni stated.
He maintained that members continue to work closely with police divisions, area commands and local government authorities across Delta State, adding that their contributions to community policing and internal security could be verified by the Nigeria Police.
“Although ours is largely voluntary service, we have continued because we are passionate about protecting our communities. The police can confirm that our members are actively involved in security operations across the state,” he added.
Akeni argued that members of the Corps should be given priority consideration whenever the proposed state police becomes operational, noting that they had already undergone government profiling and biometric registration.
“As discussions on state policing gather momentum, we believe those of us who have already been accredited by the government deserve to be integrated into the state police structure,” he said.
Explaining why members had remained committed despite the absence of stipends, Akeni said many operatives had been involved in community security long before the Corps was formally established.
“We have been doing this work since 2004 as volunteers. Many members came from organisations like the Vigilante Group of Nigeria. Most of us have personal businesses and other means of livelihood, but we chose to continue serving our communities.”
Highlighting the Corps’ operational record, he disclosed that members successfully rescued two kidnapped twins in Ughelli and later freed four additional kidnap victims; two men and two women, including a nursing mother from a forest in Ododegho.
He noted that the rescue missions came at great personal cost, revealing that two operatives sustained gunshot wounds during one of the operations.
“Two of our members were shot with AK-47 rifles during one of the rescue missions. Solomon Udo sustained a gunshot wound to his hand, while another operative, Yite, was shot in the leg.”
According to Akeni, although former Governor Okowa directed that the injured personnel receive treatment after visiting them at the Central Hospital, Ughelli, members of the Corps eventually funded the medical expenses themselves.
“We spent close to ₦4 million treating our injured colleagues and we have not been refunded till today. Both the former governor and the present governor are aware of what happened because they visited the victims.”
He further recalled that the Corps previously operated security checkpoints at strategic locations, including Evwreni and Ododegho Junction, where stop-and-search operations significantly reduced criminal activities in the area.
Despite these efforts, he lamented that the Corps had not received refresher training or additional operational support since its establishment.
“Our greatest need is training. We are already carrying out security responsibilities, but without continuous training and modern equipment, our effectiveness will be limited,” he said.
Also speaking, the Uwheru Coordinator of the Corps in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Mr. Goodluck Ose, described the situation as discouraging, noting that members had continued to risk their lives without financial support.
“We were paid for only four months after we received our identity cards. Since then, nothing has been paid. We are family men. It is difficult for people to continue working without any form of welfare.”
Ose appealed to the Delta State Government to engage with the Corps and address its welfare concerns, adding that members had recovered stolen vehicles, machinery and other valuables while contributing to the restoration of security along the Ughelli–Patani Expressway.
“There was a period when criminals almost made the Ughelli–Patani Road impassable. We stood our ground and contributed significantly to restoring peace on that route,” he said.
Another operative, Avia Rafael Aghogho from Uwheru Kingdom, lamented that the operational vehicles initially provided by the government had become unserviceable, leaving members to finance logistics and maintenance from their personal resources.
“The vehicles given to us when the Corps was established are no longer functional. We now spend our own money maintaining uniforms and providing basic logistics.”
He stressed that inadequate equipment had made security operations increasingly difficult and appealed to the government to provide operational vehicles and modern security tools while also considering Corps members for integration into the proposed state police.
Another member, Mr. Ede I, recounted the injuries he sustained in the line of duty, saying he remained committed despite the risks involved.
“I have injuries on my head and back because of this work. Yet I remain committed because if we abandon our communities, criminals will take over.”
He also recalled an operation during which members confronted armed criminals disguised as military personnel.
Appealing directly to Governor Oborevwori, Ede urged the state government to improve the welfare of Corps members in recognition of their years of service and sacrifice.
“I have children depending on me. We have risked our lives to keep our communities safe. We appeal to the governor to remember us by paying what we are owed, improving our welfare and providing the support we need.”
The Delta State Community Security Corps was established following the passage of the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency Bill by the Delta State House of Assembly on June 20, 2020. The bill subsequently received the assent of former Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on July 29, 2020, providing the legal framework for the establishment and operation of the agency.
