Pix: VGN CG, Otunba James Udoma

In a renewed effort to strengthen grassroots security and support the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) has established an Anti-Kidnapping Squad at its National Headquarters in Abuja, with a mandate to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in protecting lives and property.

The specialised squad, under the operational leadership of Group Commandant Abiodun Suleiman, popularly known as The Spirit, is expected to strengthen community-based intelligence gathering, security surveillance, crime prevention and rapid response to emerging threats across vulnerable communities.

The establishment of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad reflects the growing recognition of the importance of organised community security structures in addressing the country’s security challenges, particularly kidnapping, which continues to pose a serious threat to residential communities and public safety.

A major feature of the Squad’s operational strategy is its collaboration with the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force, two critical institutions in Nigeria’s security architecture.Through this inter-agency partnership, the VGN seeks to promote intelligence sharing, operational coordination and effective communication among security formations, particularly in identifying and responding to threats before they escalate into serious criminal incidents.

The initiative also underscores the importance of integrating community-based security knowledge into the broader national security framework, given the strategic position of grassroots security organisations in identifying suspicious movements and gathering relevant information within their immediate environments.

Under the leadership of Group Commandant Suleiman, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad is expected to pursue a proactive approach to community protection, with emphasis on vigilance, intelligence-led operations, neighbourhood surveillance and cooperation with recognised security agencies.The Squad’s responsibilities include supporting efforts to prevent kidnapping activities, strengthening community intelligence networks, responding to security threats within its operational capacity and protecting vulnerable households and residents against criminal attacks.

It is also expected to promote public awareness of security risks and encourage residents to provide timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying potential threats. The collaboration with the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force is particularly significant, as effective security operations require the combined strengths of different institutions with clearly defined responsibilities.While the military and police retain their statutory operational mandates, community-based security organisations such as the VGN can provide valuable grassroots intelligence and support lawful security interventions.The partnership therefore offers an opportunity to improve information exchange, strengthen neighbourhood security arrangements and promote a more coordinated response to kidnapping and other organised criminal activities.

Group Commandant Suleiman’s operational leadership is expected to play an important role in building a disciplined, responsive and professionally coordinated squad capable of supporting the VGN’s broader community protection objectives.His leadership philosophy places emphasis on vigilance, teamwork, operational preparedness and cooperation with established security institutions.

However, the effectiveness of the initiative will depend not only on the operational capacity of the Squad but also on sustained training, adequate logistics, public cooperation and strict adherence to the rule of law.The VGN recognises that community security personnel must operate responsibly, respect the fundamental rights of citizens and work within established legal and operational guidelines. The organisation also emphasises the need for residents to remain security conscious, report suspicious activities promptly and cooperate with recognised security agencies rather than resort to self-help.The establishment of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad comes against the background of continuing concerns over kidnapping and other criminal activities threatening the safety of communities across the country.It reinforces the argument that tackling insecurity requires a comprehensive approach that combines conventional security operations with credible community participation, intelligence gathering and preventive measures.

For the VGN, the initiative represents another step towards strengthening its contribution to national security through structured grassroots engagement and collaboration with relevant government security institutions.With Group Commandant Abiodun Suleiman at the operational helm, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad is expected to consolidate its activities around the protection of vulnerable communities and support for lawful efforts to dismantle criminal networks.

Ultimately, the success of the initiative will be measured by its capacity to strengthen public confidence, improve community surveillance and contribute meaningfully to the prevention of kidnapping and other threats to public safety.The VGN maintains that the protection of lives and property is a collective responsibility requiring the commitment of security agencies, community organisations and citizens.Vigilance is our responsibility. Community safety is our collective mission.

Public Relations/Media UnitAnti-Kidnapping SquadVigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN)National Headquarters, Abuja.