THE persistent violent crimes across the country demand a multi-faceted approach to address the bloodletting and huge loss of lives and property. While security agents have leveraged support from sister agencies and para-military bodies, the war to conquer perpetrators – kidnappers and bandits, among others- has dragged on with minimal success here and there amid rising incidents, despite the number of personnel and material resources invested in the fight.
In the face of the hindrances in setting up community police to assist in taming homegrown crimes and invasion of community forests by criminal-minded herdsmen and bandits, the campaign for the empowerment of community vigilantes should be given teeth to bridge the gap occasioned by the inability of the elite security outfits to secure vulnerable community.
With the growing insecurity and regular attacks on innocent citizens by criminal elements, it is cheery to observe the efforts of communities at sponsoring vigilante groups to assist in the fight against violent crimes, ensure peace, and ward off criminals. This is because of the belief that community-based security outfits are familiar with the terrains—the nooks and crannies of the land.
Apart from existing vigilantes in the communities in Delta State, the local governments are now organizing hundreds of young men to beef up security in their respective areas of jurisdiction. These bodies go by different names. While some identify with the community name, others are known as community police, Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Civilian JTFand state vigilantes, among others
But they have the same objectives of complementing security agencies, which primarily are to secure the communities and assist in maintaining peace and order. They also help in intelligence gathering. In the pursuit of these objectives, the community vigilantes have recorded successes. They have also suffered loss of lives.
In all, they have, in the absence of security agencies, helped to repel criminals and prevent crimes, patrol community lands and monitor incursions, alert the police on incidents of crimes, report suspicious persons to the police, and synergise with community leaders.
Unfortunately, as much as their services are being enjoyed by the people, very little interest is shown in their welfare and general maintenance. In some places, they operate with Dane guns. Besides, operational tools like touch lights, uniforms, motorcycles, Siena buses, etc., are provided by philanthropists or corporate bodies as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). I
Despite these supports, community vigilantes have other limitations, which include finance, lack of laws backing their operations, operational tools, and personnel. In some cases, they are overwhelmed by bandits and terrorists as a result of the grotesque equipment they are using.
At this point in our desperate moves to find solutions to the problem of insecurity in the country, the place of community vigilantes cannot be ignored. They exist in Anambra and the western states of the country.
Before now, the Delta State Government, through the State House of Assembly, has put in place the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency Law 2020.
The law is currently undergoing amendment to expand the functions of security outfits and enhance their efficiency. It is a step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to secure our communities. Therefore, both state and local governments should brace up to setting up community vigilantes and equipping them to function effectively.
While consideration is ongoing for legal backing for the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency, the governments should recruit, train, and sponsor vigilantes in all communities. There should be financial support in terms of stipends to encourage participants. Ideally, making it a pensionable engagement will be more encouraging and rewarding to both the government and the people.
We subscribe to the fact that it is an idea whose time has come to be admitted. Consequently, we call on stakeholders to join the demand for the formal setting up of community vigilantes to collaborate with stakeholders in maintaining peace and order.
We need them to fill the gaps created by the absence of policemen in our communities and bushes by supporting community vigilantes with cash and materials. That is the way to go now.
