Ex-vigilante turns thief: Warri community in shock as crime hits home

DDM News

A suspected car thief was apprehended early Friday morning by local vigilante operatives in the Marine Quarters area of Warri, Delta State.

According to reports reaching Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), the suspect, known simply as Simple, was caught red-handed while attempting to burgle a parked Lexus vehicle along Gbiaye Street, off 3rd Marine Gate.

Eyewitnesses say the suspect shattered the rear windscreen of the car before being cornered by community security operatives.

The man, who was once a member of the vigilante group himself, was swiftly overpowered, restrained, and subjected to a severe beating by angry residents before being detained by the same vigilante team he once served with.

During a brief interrogation by a DAILY POST correspondent at the scene, the suspect admitted to committing the act.

He attributed his actions to personal difficulties, stating, “Pressure made me do it. I feel very much ashamed of myself now.”

The vigilante unit, still holding the suspect as of the time of the report, indicated they were awaiting the arrival of police authorities.

He is expected to be handed over for further questioning and possible prosecution.

This incident has sparked renewed concern about the rise of petty crimes within the Gbiaye Street axis of Warri.

Just last week, unidentified criminals broke into the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Warri Correspondents’ Chapel.

During that theft, high-value cables used for a diesel generator were reportedly stolen.

The location of that incident is also Gbiaye Street, raising alarms about the growing insecurity in the area.

Community leaders and residents are now calling on the Delta State Police Command to increase patrol efforts around Marine Quarters and its adjoining streets.

Many locals worry that if security is not tightened, incidents like this could become more frequent and more violent.

Vigilante groups, often made up of ex-servicemen and local youths, have been instrumental in curbing crime in many parts of Delta State, particularly in areas where formal police presence is limited.

However, the latest incident involving a former vigilante operative has also cast a shadow on the trust and integrity of such informal security structures.

Some residents have urged for background checks and accountability within these groups to prevent abuse of power and infiltration by bad elements.

The Warri South Local Government Authority has not released an official statement on the arrest or the increasing crime pattern in the area as of press time.

Meanwhile, security analysts point out that economic hardship, rising unemployment, and lack of community policing remain key drivers of such petty crimes in urban centers like Warri.

They recommend more collaborative efforts between residents, community leaders, and state security agencies to restore safety and order.

As residents await further updates from the police, the incident serves as another grim reminder of the urgent need for a multi-layered security strategy in the region.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) will continue to monitor developments around this case and bring readers timely updates.

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