, Captain Umar Abubakar (rtd), has called on the Federal Government){kind=link}
The Commandant General of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Captain Umar Abubakar (rtd), has called on the Federal Government to formally recognise and support the organisation.
He insisted that its members have the capacity to help end banditry and other violent crimes across the country.
Abubakar made the appeal in Abuja during a one-day Strategic National Economic Security Summit, where he highlighted the importance of community-based security structures in addressing Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
He noted that despite being unpaid volunteers, members of the Vigilante Group have remained steadfast in assisting communities to combat crime.
“We’re not lazy; we’re passionate about security. We don’t want to sit idly by while bandits terrorise our communities. Even without pay, we work tirelessly to keep our country safe,” he said.
The retired naval officer explained that the VGN, which is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), boasts of over one million members nationwide.
According to him, if given the necessary backing, the group could effectively neutralise the estimated 100,000 bandits operating in different parts of the country.
“If given the opportunity, we can face them and neutralise the threat. We lead from the front, we don’t wait for the police or the army. In fact, the military understands our role and has worked with us on several occasions,” he said.
Abubakar also lamented that many of the group’s volunteers had sought to join the formal security services but were unsuccessful despite their commitment and experience.
“Many of us were rejected, not because we lack the passion or ability, but because we don’t have the right connections. We have the drive and the local knowledge. All we ask for is a chance to serve,” he said.
He maintained that the group’s work complements that of the police, military, and other security agencies, stressing that official recognition would enhance coordination and improve intelligence gathering.
“We’re not asking for handouts—we’re asking for support and collaboration. Our goal is to restore normalcy and return Nigeria to a state of peace and security,” he said.
According to him, the VGN’s close relationship with local communities provides it with real-time intelligence and early warning about threats.
“As the first line of defence, we live among the communities we protect, giving us insight into local terrain, language, and daily life. Our focus should be on safeguarding real targets; markets, schools, streets, places of worship, and business centres, where ordinary people live and work,” Abubakar said.
He added that while the group may not possess sophisticated technology, its strength lies in its numbers and deep-rooted community presence.
“Our strength lies in our numbers, over a million members surpassing any other security agency in the country. We don’t need advanced technology; our greatest asset is our deep connection to the communities we serve,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Oba Dr Olu Adeoye, Chairman of Obas of Yoruba in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said he had been engaging relevant authorities, including the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Commissioner of Police, on measures to tackle the security challenges facing the territory.
He disclosed that several meetings had been held with both community and national leaders to curb the rising cases of kidnapping and other crimes within the FCT.
“We’ve agreed to work together to flush them out. Our programme is already in motion, and by tomorrow, we’ll be holding a strategic meeting at the villa. While these challenges are not unique to the FCT, we are determined to find lasting solutions,” he said.