By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor

The nationwide revalidation and registration of personnel of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) is a commendable initiative that could strengthen community security, improve accountability and enhance the organisation’s contribution to Nigeria’s national security architecture. At a time when the country continues to battle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, illegal mining, oil theft and other criminal activities, a properly organised community security structure can help identify emerging threats and provide valuable grassroots intelligence to statutory security agencies. The initiative by the Commandant General, Dr James Udoma, therefore deserves recognition as a practical step towards building a more coordinated, disciplined and accountable organisation.

The exercise provides an opportunity to establish an accurate national database of VGN personnel, documenting their identities, membership status, state and local government affiliations, units and command structures. Such records will help the organisation determine its actual membership strength, identify operational gaps and plan recruitment, training, deployment and logistics. More importantly, verifying members’ identities will help distinguish genuine personnel from impostors who might exploit the VGN’s name to intimidate citizens, engage in unlawful activities or undermine public confidence. A credible register will also make it easier for the leadership to supervise members and establish responsibility whenever complaints or operational concerns arise.

The urgency of strengthening community security is underscored by Nigeria’s crime statistics. The National Bureau of Statistics’ 2024 Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey estimated approximately 51.9 million crime incidents nationwide between May 2023 and April 2024, alongside an estimated 2.24 million kidnapping incidents involving household members. These figures illustrate the scale of the security challenge and the importance of effective crime prevention, timely intelligence and community participation. Although vigilante organisations cannot replace the police, military or other statutory agencies, properly supervised personnel can support crime prevention by reporting suspicious movements, identifying local security concerns and helping authorities understand the circumstances surrounding emerging threats.

A verified membership register could also improve intelligence sharing between the VGN and security institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Department of State Services. Because VGN members operate within communities, they may possess useful knowledge of local terrain, access routes, settlement patterns and unusual activities. When such information is channelled through identifiable personnel and established reporting procedures, it becomes easier for relevant authorities to assess and act upon it. The registration exercise can consequently support clearer communication channels, designated liaison officers and better coordination during lawful security operations, while preserving the distinct responsibilities and statutory powers of each agency.

Another important benefit is the opportunity to strengthen discipline, professionalism and respect for human rights. Registration should be linked to standard identification procedures, personnel verification, training records and an enforceable code of conduct. Members should receive appropriate instruction in intelligence gathering, conflict de escalation, emergency response, community relations and the lawful limits of their responsibilities. No membership card or organisational appointment authorises unlawful detention, abuse of suspects or the exercise of powers reserved for statutory agencies. By making accountability and respect for the law central to its operations, the VGN can protect the public, safeguard its personnel and strengthen the confidence of communities in its activities.

The exercise could also strengthen the VGN’s case for formal recognition and institutional engagement by the Federal Government. Such recognition requires more than claims of nationwide presence or numerical strength. Government authorities need credible evidence of the organisation’s membership, leadership structure, operational capacity, internal controls and commitment to lawful conduct. A properly maintained database, supported by transparent administrative procedures and documented training standards, would provide useful evidence for engagement with relevant ministries, departments and agencies. It could also support proposals for formal cooperation arrangements and participation in appropriate capacity building programmes. However, registration alone does not automatically confer statutory recognition; that would depend on applicable laws and decisions by the competent authorities.

From an administrative and operational perspective, the database could help the VGN identify personnel requiring training, determine equipment needs and allocate available resources more effectively. It would also provide a basis for monitoring deployments, updating membership records and assessing the performance of commands across the federation. To achieve these objectives, the exercise should incorporate safeguards against duplicate registrations, impersonation, unauthorised charges and the misuse of personal information. Clear guidelines, accessible registration procedures, periodic verification and secure record keeping will be essential to ensuring that genuine members are not unfairly excluded and that the resulting register remains reliable.

Dr James Udoma deserves particular commendation for recognising that institutional development begins with accurate records, clear responsibilities and effective management. His initiative offers an opportunity to strengthen the VGN’s organisational foundation and demonstrate its readiness to work responsibly with other security institutions. The success of his leadership in this regard should ultimately be measured by the quality of the register, improved discipline, better trained personnel, stronger interagency cooperation and demonstrable benefits to the communities the organisation serves.

As the programme advances, the VGN leadership should ensure that the process reaches genuine members in every state and local government area where the organisation operates. Periodic audits, transparent verification and regular updates should make the database a permanent management tool rather than a one off administrative exercise. Progress reports should also provide credible information on verified registrations without exposing members’ sensitive personal details. With sustained attention to accountability, professional standards and lawful operations, the VGN can use the exercise to improve its internal administration and build stronger relationships with government authorities and security partners.

Ultimately, the nationwide registration and revalidation programme is an opportunity to reposition the Vigilante Group of Nigeria as a more organised, accountable and dependable contributor to community safety. Its greatest value will lie not simply in the number of personnel registered, but in how the verified information improves intelligence sharing, personnel management, training and operational coordination. Dr James Udoma deserves kudos for initiating this important process. If properly implemented and sustained, it could strengthen the organisation’s credibility, support its pursuit of formal government recognition and reinforce the principle that effective national security requires responsible community participation working in partnership with constitutionally established security agencies.