The Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) has called on the National Assembly Constitutional Review Committee to incorporate the group into Nigeria’s formal security architecture, particularly in support of the Nigeria Police Force.
The appeal followed the submission of a formal proposal to the House of Representatives in Abuja. Briefing journalists after the submission, the Commandant General of the VGN, Umar Bakori, said the move is aimed at strengthening community-based security efforts rather than establishing state police, which he warned could create additional challenges for the country.
Bakori recalled that during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, over ₦13 billion was approved for community policing initiatives involving 40,000 volunteers across the country. He, however, lamented that there is little to show for the funds, noting that the resources were meant for training and procurement of operational equipment.
He further urged the Federal Government to urgently assent to the bill seeking to formally establish the VGN, which is currently awaiting presidential approval, stressing that its legal recognition would significantly enhance grassroots security and complement existing law enforcement agencies.