Commander General of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Mohammed Usman Jahun, has said that the organisation has contributed immensely towards ensuring security in the country, despite challenges. 

“The military and police have not succeeded in quelling the insurgency in the North-East zone of the country for instance. They had to engage the services of local vigilantes.

“It is then clear that the security agencies need the services of the community members to effectively discharge their duties.

“We greatly assist relevant security agencies in Borno, combing the Sambisa forest among others, to assist them to discharge their duties,” Mr Jahun stated on Sunday in Abuja.

The vigilante head also called for collaborative efforts in ensuring adequate security of lives and property in the country.

“The citizens should identify the roles they can play in ensuring that the country is adequately secured.

“The government, media, businessmen, various unions, among others, also have roles to play.

“The public should cooperate with security agencies to ensure that we achieve our target of securing the communities,” he said.

The vigilante boss said that despite obvious challenges, like the non-assent of the bill on vigilante groups, they have tried to be self-sustaining.

Mr Jahun urged the government at all levels to assist vigilante groups, through the provision of logistics, training, among other incentives, needed for improved services.

The group, which has branches across the country, promotes community policing, assists mainstream security agencies in crime prevention and control among other functions.