How vigilante groups protect communities, create problems

Not less than 68 persons have been killed at various instances, while scores have been maimed, tortured, harassed or unduly detained by operatives of the various vigilante groups operating across the country in the past three months alone, Weekend Trust gathered. Our correspondents learnt that abuses by members of vigilante groups have been rampant in […]

Not less than 68 persons have been killed at various instances, while scores have been maimed, tortured, harassed or unduly detained by operatives of the various vigilante groups operating across the country in the past three months alone, Weekend Trust gathered.

Our correspondents learnt that abuses by members of vigilante groups have been rampant in the past years, which led, in some instances, to their disbandment or reorganisation.

The recent killing of 16 hunters who were travelling through Uromi town in Esan-East Local Government of Edo State by members of a vigilante group, which sparked a national outrage, is not the first.

Our correspondents found out that long before the Uromi incident, there have been cases of similar extrajudicial killings, detentions and harassments of persons by members of such outfits set up to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies like the Nigeria Police Force and National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

• INSECURITY: Why we are witnessing proliferation of vigilantes – AIG Aisabor
• DEFECTIONS UPDATE: Nigeria not drifting to one-party state – Prof Saliu

 

Why abuses persist

Weekend Trust checks on why the abuses have continued unabated revealed that such groups operate mainly on the state laws establishing them, without any statutory regulating body.

A police source informed our correspondent that a framework to enable the police assume that function, which has been in the works since the Muhammadu Buhari administration, is yet to see the light of day, while the NSCDC only monitors the operations of private guard companies.

The vigilante outfits are basically two types: those set up by the various states or local governments and those set up by communities and associations. They are community-based and consist largely of volunteers with membership drawn from self-help groups.

Even with the rampant cases of abuse of their powers, many believe they are necessary.

Reports of extrajudicial killings, unlawful detentions and the mistreatment of citizens by members of the groups have raised questions about the balance between community safety and human rights. 

One of the prominent cases of excesses was as far back as 2012 when four youths living in the Alu area of Port Harcourt in Rivers State were lynched by vigilantes on the suspicion of being robbers.

The Chinwoke Mbadinuju administration in Anambra State is credited with the setting up a security outfit that was known as the Bakassi Boys, which resorted to unconventional means of handling criminal suspects but was hailed for its success in reducing crime rate.

 

The outfits

Almost all the 36 states have established one form of security outfit or another; many local governments and communities also have theirs.

Those established by governments include outfits such as the Amotekun in the South-West, Operation Rainbow in Plateau State; Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC); Security Neighbourhood Watch in Kano; Benue State Civil Protection Guard (BSCPG), The Delta State Vigilante Group in Delta State, and many others.

With the recent killing of 16 hunters by the vigilante in Uromi, many have called for the enactment of laws to guide the operations of such groups.

 

Not all bad

In Borno State where the Civilian JTF, also known as Yan Gora, was established, many people are grateful to the group for their efforts in tackling insurgency.

The CJTF is a local group of youths founded in 2012 in response to Boko Haram insurgency and has been supporting the Nigerian military in combating terrorism in Borno State. They are a group of young men and women equipped with basic weapons and military training taking part in counterterrorism operations and are responsible for surveillance, gathering intelligence and community patrol to protect civilians. 

The Civilian JTF members are mainly locals familiar with the terrain and the communities, who are placed on a monthly stipend by the state government.

Recently, the state governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, directed the leadership of the CJTF to recruit 5,000 members, adding to the existing 23,000 young men and women in the task force.

In an interview with Weekend Trust, Aminu Yusuf, a Maiduguri resident displaced by Boko Haram from Bama, said that at the peak of the Boko Haram crisis, the insurgents were terrified by the courage, boldness and resilience of the Civilian JTF.

“At one point, these boys (insurgents) didn’t fear the soldiers, they were only afraid of the Yan Gora (Civilian JTF), not the military,” he said.

Modu Bulama, another resident, also described the Civilian JTF as an important part of the military operations that helped to degrade the activities of Boko Haram in Borno State.

He said, “They are the best thing that happened to us as people in Maiduguri. Those who witnessed the early stage of insurgency will tell you that it was through the effort of Yan Gora that Boko Haram were forced into the bush.

“They sacrificed their lives for us. Some died with suicide bombers, some stepped on landmines, while others died during encounters with the terrorists, but they are still not deterred.”

An ‎official report from the leadership of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Maiduguri stated that they had 23,000 members fighting alongside the Nigerian Army as at 2017.

The legal adviser to the Civilian JTF, Jibrin Gunda, said that despite the high casualty figure, members of the outfit remained resolute in their determination to ensure that they rid the state of Boko Haram elements.

“We are a non-governmental organisation that started in 2012 out of the desire to protect our people. Our youths chose self-help by carrying sticks and machetes to pursue terrorists without minding what they were carrying,” he revealed.

He said it was necessary to train members of the Civilian JTF on the use of arms because they always move along with the military in the frontline during operations.

 

Kano

In Kano State, the vigilante groups formed largely by Yan Farauta or Yan Tauri (local hunters), have received wide acceptance and recognition.
The vigilante groups are involved in confronting criminal activities of Yan Daba, who often engage in rival gang wars.

 

Ondo

In Akure, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Operation Amotekun, has been applauded for its efforts at ensuring security in the state, especially in communities.

A resident, Tope Ayangolu, said the Amotekun Corps had intervened in many farmers and herders clashes in his community of Ala in Akure-South Local Government Area of the state. 

Ayangolu also said members of the community trusted the Amotekun Corps more than other security agencies in the state.

“Before now, we used to have issues with herders whose cows invaded our farms and ate up crops. When we challenged them, the situation usually turned violent, but with Amotekun, we no longer have record of herders’ activities in the community. Amotekun is more responsive than the police in this area. They are regularly on patrol and timely,” he said. 

A resident of Akure, Mrs Funmilayo Adebola, said the Amotekun Corps had been working hard to ensure that people of the state sleep with their two eyes closed.

 

Edo

In Edo State, the local security is the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) headed by a retired commissioner of police, Friday Ibadin.

Residents said the success story of the security outfit, also known as vigilante, outweighed its excesses.

A resident, Kola Edokpaye, the convener of Talakawa Parliament, noted that the state security outfit had been very helpful in the fight against crime and criminalities.

“In my community, there is no police presence; we rely on local security for protection. Despite what happened in Uromi, it should not be discarded; what they need is training and retraining,” he said.

Another member of the community, Jimoh Isedeh, noted that the security outfit had been very helpful.

He said, “Since the setting up of the security outfit, armed robbery has reduced as people now walk in the streets beyond 10pm without harassment. Also, cult killings have reduced to the barest minimum.”

Another resident, Elvis Igbinadu, said the state security outfit had been effective in crime fighting before the unfortunate Uromi incident.

 

Anambra

In Anambra State, the Udo Ga Achị security initiative was launched on January 18, 2025 in response to the growing menace of kidnapping, armed robbery and killings in the state.

This initiative was introduced at a time the crime wave in the state had reached an alarming level and residents felt increasingly unsafe, Weekend Trust gathered. The security operation began following the enactment of the Homeland Security Law of 2025, which empowered the Operation Udo Ga Achị team to take action.

In the four months since its launch, the local security force has helped to reduce crime rate in the state.

It was gathered that some of the gunmen who once terrorised the state relocated to other states.

A human rights activist and convener of “Recover Nigeria,” Comrade Osita Obi, praised Udo Ga Achị as one of the most significant developments in the state in recent times.

 

Bauchi

In Bauchi State, residents expressed divergent reactions to the activities of vigilantes and hunters.

A resident of Toro, Saleh Usman Yau, said vigilantes and hunters were responsible for securing the lives and property of people in Toro Local Government Area. 

Corroborating Yau, Abdullahi Sani of the Wunti area of Bauchi metropolis said the activities of various vigilantes had significantly improved security situation and mitigated the rising cases of hoodlums and activities of the Sara Suka group in the metropolis.

 

The other side of their operations

Despite being praised for their efforts in counterterrorism, many residents in Maiduguri have misgivings on the activities of the Civilian JTF, accusing them of human rights abuses, harassment and extrajudicial killings. 

Suleiman Lawan, a resident, said the perception of people in Maiduguri towards the group was fast changing.

“Unlike before, they now intimidate and even kill innocent people, not only those thought to be associated with Boko Haram terrorists,” he alleged, adding that recently, one of the members of the group, known for harassing people in Shago Biyu, allegedly shot a teenager dead while fighting a mother and her son. 

The spokesman of the police, ASP Kenneth Daso, confirmed arresting the suspect, one Abba Sidi Mala, and assured investigation into the matter.

Another resident said that with the increased involvement of the Civilian JTF with politicians, the aim of establishing the group has been defeated.

“Politicians are now using them to intimidate people. What happened during the 2019 elections was enough to prove that. People are gradually losing confidence in them,” he alleged.

In Niger State, on April 1, 2025, a stray bullet fired by vigilantes in an attempt to arrest suspected hoodlums in the Soje ‘A’ area of Minna, the Niger State capital, claimed the life of a 12-year-old Adnan Bulana. The boy was reported to have gone out to repair his shoes in preparation for a Sallah visit to his relatives.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Niger State police command, SP Wasiu Abiodun stated: “On April 1, 2025 at 1220hrs, a yet-to-be-identified group/vigilante invaded Soje A community to arrest miscreants in the area. In the process, the suspected miscreants attacked the group, prompting them to fire gunshots. Unfortunately, stray pellets hit one Adnan Bulana, a 12-year-old boy.”

Reports of human right violations, complicity in crime and dealings in hard drugs have also been associated with their activities. For instance, on January 16, 2025, police arrested three vigilantes – Habibu Usman (35), Tanko Abara (25) and Maigero Abdullahi (26) of Tunga-Galadima village in Rijau Local Government Area for allegedly killing and robbing a 30-year-old Muhammadu Bello of Awala Village. 

The suspects, it was gathered, detained Bello at their checkpoint, stole his motorcycle and N940,000 and later disposed his body in a nearby bush.

In August 2024, five herders were shot dead by suspected vigilantes during a tribal conflict in Beji, Bosso Local Government Area.

Another shocking case involved the brutalisation of a married woman on November 16, 2024 in Kpakungu, Minna, Niger State.  Two vigilantes – Adamu Mohammed and Usman Aliyu – allegedly assaulted and tore her cloths. The woman recounted that she was lured out of a private clinic, forced into a tricycle and beaten when she attempted to contact her husband.

 

Amotekun ‘killed 14 in 5 years’

The Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), popularly known as Amotekun, was inaugurated on January 9, 2020 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital by the South-West Governors Forum and chaired by the late governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu.

It was a response to what the governors called escalating insecurity in the region, with many stakeholders calling on them to find a lasting solution to the impasse. Except Lagos, all other states in the region established Amotekun outfits.

Weekend Trust reports that between 2020 and now, there have been at least 14 killings allegedly involving operatives of Amotekun in South-West.  

In three weeks, between December 2020 and January 2021, operatives of Amotekun were accused of killing more than 10 innocent youths in Oyo State.

On December 24, 2020, a student of the University of Ibadan was allegedly shot dead by a member of the Amotekun Corps invited to clear a road barricaded by some students in Oyo.

Less than two weeks later, on January 6, 2021, two other persons were allegedly killed by the operatives during a clash with some youths in Ibarapa town of the same state. Three days later, on January 9, seven lives were lost during a clash between Amotekun operatives and some herders, still in Ibarapa town.

Another man, Tosin Thomas, was allegedly killed by one of the corps at a petrol station in Oyo State. That took the total number of persons killed by Amotekun to 11 within a period of three weeks.

In Ogun, in May 2022, a 49-year-old mother, Mrs Monsurat Alimi, alleged that operatives of Amotekun in Ogun State killed her son, Tunde Olutayo, and labelled him a cultist.

The bereaved mother told newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital, that after the death of her son, she saw a picture of his corpse on Facebook tagged cultist and armed robber.

It was alleged that operatives of the local security outfit invaded the victim’s compound in Sokori, Abeokuta and shot him after he tried to escape.

The Amotekun Corps, in a statement titled, “Death of notorious Eiye cultist and armed robber,” claimed that Olutayo and his gang engaged the corps in a gun duel, which led to his death.

But the mother faulted the claim by the Amotekun boss, saying her son was a vulcaniser and not a cultist or armed robber.

Also, in September 2022, a South Africa returnee, Ayodeji Eweje, was allegedly shot in the leg by operatives of Amotekun, his mother said.

The aged mother, Amoke Eweje, said her son’s leg was on the verge of being amputated due to the gunshot injury.

But the Amotekun commander described Eweje as a “notorious cultist who had been tormenting the Adigbe area of Abeokuta for a long time.”

Also, Sabo community in the Ijebu-Ode area was thrown into mourning after two persons were allegedly killed by Amotekun operatives.

One of them was a 28-year-old Ibrahim Jamilu, who had gone to a mosque to observe the evening prayer. His mother, Aishat, reportedly said she asked his younger brother to wake him up for the prayer without knowing that death was lurking by the corner.

Before Ibrahim, there was a case of one Femi Ilori, who was killed a month after his father, Sunday, a thrift collector in Ogun State, survived a ghastly motor accident.

The 57-year-old father has since left the area for Ikenne because of the trauma of his son’s death, Weekend Trust gathered.

The then Amotekun boss equally labelled the duo of Femi and Ibrahim as cultists, alleging that they were killed during a gun battle with a joint team of security operatives in the state.

In Ondo, one Oluwasegun Oluwarotimi had one of his legs amputated in 2021 after operatives of Amotekun allegedly shot at him.

As a commercial motorcycle operator in Akure, the state capital, he was going about his work when an officer of the security outfit shot at his left leg.

The commander of Amotekun in Ondo State, Adetunji Adeleye, said the outfit had dismissed two officials, demoted seven and sanctioned many to instill discipline in the corps.

He said, “For an outfit that has conducted thousands of operations and recorded successes and has one accidental discharge, I don’t know why it is drawing so much attention, but when you consider the colossal loss of a life, it is equally understandable. As human beings, we are not above mistakes, but as far as we are concerned, training and retraining are going on.

 “The law setting up the corps is very clear on the punishment of any erring officer. In the last three years, we have dismissed two officers and demoted seven; and a good number of them served lesser punishments. We are striving to achieve perfection. We want to make a difference.”

 

Kano

Members of the vigilante groups formed largely by Yan Farauta or Yan Tauri (local hunters) in Kano State have lately been accused of some criminal activities, which include phone-snatching, a development that caused the state government to unveil a security outfit.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, on February 18 signed into law the State Security Neighbourhood Watch, “aimed at bolstering local security and fostering a safer environment for residents across the state.”

Under the enabling law, the Neighbourhood Watch would be allowed to carry arms and effect arrest of suspected criminals and hand over same to the police for prosecution, it was gathered.

Asked to comment on the excesses of local vigilantes, who sometimes detain suspects without warrant, the commander, Shehu Mohammed Rabiu, said members of vigilante groups were endangered species whose sacrifices were not appreciated in the country.

“Our member was killed on Sallah day during the procession with Emir Muhammadu Sanusi. Have you heard anybody condemn this and extend his sympathy and condolence to us? If it were a vigilante member that killed someone, it would have been all over the mainstream and social media with many raining insults on us. The fact is that our members put their lives at risk to confront thugs and other criminals but get nothing in return,” Rabiu said.

Commenting on the activities of vigilante groups in Kano, a local hunter, Baushe Ismail, said there’s a big departure from the past in the operation of vigilante groups, noting that well known people with track records joined the group in the past, unlike now when dubious people who just want to get the uniform as a kind of protection find their way into the group.

 

Kaduna

Most vigilante and Joint Task Force (JTF) activities in Kaduna State occur in rural communities facing insecurity, as well as ghettos within the metropolis. While there have been no recent reports of vigilantes killing residents within the city, incidents in rural areas raise concerns over their operations.

In February 2025, the village head of Dutsan Gaya in Kajuru Local Government Area, Maitala Ariga Makama, was found dead after he was allegedly abducted by a local vigilante group known as Yan Sakai, as reported by Zagazola. 

His lifeless body was discovered on the outskirts of Sabon Garin Rimau in the same local government area. It remains unclear who was responsible for his death and the motives behind it.

Similarly, on April 30, 2023, four youths were allegedly killed by vigilantes during a demolition exercise at Gbagyi village in Chikun Local Government Area. 

Earlier, in January 2023, 12 residents, mostly youths, sustained injuries in Sabon Gyero community, Millennium City, also in Chikun Local Government Area. Among the victims were women and children. It was gathered that the incident occurred during a demolition exercise.

Reports alleged that vigilantes under the Kaduna State Vigilante Service (KADVIS) were responsible for the shooting.

Weekend Trust gathered that residents often complain about the overzealousness of local vigilantes, especially KADVIS during operations or when they accompany conventional security agencies to maintain law and order. 

It was further learnt that following a peace deal with bandits operating in areas such as Birnin Gwari, the Kaduna State Government recently banned vigilante activities in those locations.

Salisu Musa, a resident of Rigasa in Igabi Local Government Area, acknowledged that while some vigilantes act excessively, their role remains crucial in the community. “Inasmuch as there are overzealous ones among them, their activities in Rigasa are commendable because they have helped in reducing the activities of Sara Suka gangs and phone snatchers,” he said.

He further noted that there have been no recent report of vigilantes killing anyone in Rigasa, emphasising their practice of handing over suspects to the police.

Sanusi Surajo, the public relations officer of the Coalition of Community-Based Joint Task Force (CJTF), said they initiated training programmes for their members on proper conduct during operations.

“We issued written documents to all our offices, instructing them not to take on any extra work assigned by communities that goes against our rules and regulations,” he said.

He emphasised that their members were required to hand over suspects to the police or Civil Defence Corps, which has helped to prevent extrajudicial killings within their jurisdiction.

 

Infractions

Two cases of extrajudicial killings of young boys in 2016 and 2022 involving vigilante group members in the Hotoro area in Nasarawa Local Government come to mind.

A resident of Karkasara in Tarauni Local Government Area, who does not want to be named, said although the vigilante group members complement the security agencies in the fight against drugs consumption in the area, it sometimes comes with a price of illegal detention and beating of the suspects without recourse to due process.

“It is a price the society is paying for the inability of the police to deal with local criminals,” the resident said.

 

Kwara

In Kwara State, the excesses of some of the local vigilantes have led to casualties.

In August 2022, a clash between the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and Fulani traders at Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, left at least four persons dead, according to the police.

A few months later, in November, another clash between the OPC and Atunluse vigilante group reportedly left a member of the former, Taofeek Soliu dead at the Alagbado/Amule/Okelele area of the state. 

Two years later, in November, 2024, one Lanre Adebayo, a graduate of the University of Ilorin, was allegedly beaten to death by some vigilantes around the Ita Elepa area of Ilọrin metropolis.

The deceased was said to have “gotten into an argument with the vigilante, who then decided to teach him a lesson, which ended tragically.

“Another incident was when a vigilante group arrested and detained a suspect and demanded N1.5 million for his release, forcing a lawyer to petition the police command,” the immediately past commissioner of police in the state, Victor Olaiya said.

Olaiya thereafter warned vigilantes not to take laws into their hands while handling suspects.

Another resident who simply identified himself as Abiola said they took laws into their hands at will without any repercussion most times.

He said, “One of the vigilante groups in my area reportedly shot at a taxi driver sometime last year because they said he refused to stop when he was told to do so. Although the victim survived, it was one incident too many.”

 

Plateau

In Plateau State, there have been instances of offenders being subjected to torture, a practice the community strongly condemns, Weekend Trust gathered.  A notable example is a recent incident in the Tudun Wada area of Jos-North Local Government, where a boy was caught stealing a gas cylinder.

A resident of Tudun Wada community who spoke on the issue, Solomon Jan Yilzakka, told our correspondent that the vigilantes in the area questioned the boy and he refused to tell them where he took the gas cylinder to or whether he had sold it; and in an attempt to get confession out of the boy, the vigilantes beat him until he collapsed.

The incident, it was gathered, almost led to a violent reaction from members of the community.

Reacting, the commandant of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Plateau State command, Joseph  Zimmah, said their work included fight against crime, security enlightenment campaigns, conflict resolution, among others; and they performed professionally. He added that they were well guided.

He said they collaborated with the police and other security outfits at all times, adding that where it involves criminal cases (theft, violent attack/deadly fight) and attendant prosecution, they handed over to the police, and if it is a drug case, they handed over to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). 

He said that even their recruitment process did not give room for miscreants to be recruited, explaining that every recruit is put on probation for six months, and before recruitment, such person is expected to bring three sureties, including a village head.

The assistant commandant of Neighbourhood Watch in Gengere, Jos-North of Plateau State, Bala Adamu, said they worked with the police, and whenever they made any arrest, they handed the suspects over to the police immediately.

 

Delta

The Delta State Vigilante Group, like similar outfits across the country, was formed to tackle crime at the grassroots level. Many Delta residents acknowledge its role in reducing armed robbery, kidnapping and cult-related violence. However, their methods have come under scrutiny, with accusations of arbitrary arrests, torture and even killings without proper investigation.

A resident of Asaba who refused to disclose his name said, “The vigilantes are trying, but sometimes they overstep their boundaries. We cannot ignore the fact that they have helped to reduce crime, but the issue is lack of accountability. If they suspect someone, they act as the judge and executioner. That is dangerous.”

In Warri, the gruesome murder of a hotel guest named Kome also raised security concerns. His body was discovered in a hotel located in the Okumagba Layout area, an incident that followed a similar case in Owheologbo, Isoko-North Local Government Area.

A top member of the leadership of the Delta State Vigilante Group, who does not want his name print, defended their operations, insisting that they work within legal boundaries and in collaboration with the police.

He said, “We are here to support law enforcement, not to take the law into our own hands. Any of our members found guilty of misconduct will face justice.” 

Dr Kingsley Ndukwe, the national coordinator of the Victims Right Protection Initiative, believes an independent panel should be set up to investigate cases of abuse.

“Only a tripartite panel comprising the police, civil society groups and affected families can uncover the truth behind these incidents. This will restore public trust in security agencies,” he said.

 

Benue

In Benue State, community vigilante groups have partnered with state-owned security outfits to help curb insecurity across the 23 local government areas.

Our correspondent recalls that the state government collapsed the State Community Volunteer Guards and the State Livestock Guard into one entity called Benue State Civil Protection Guard (BSCPG), which is now said to be in charge of the security situation in the state. 

Local vigilantes like the Operation Shara (Sweep) at North Bank are expected to provide useful information for the conventional security agencies so as to nib threats in the bud and check criminal invasions at the grassroots in order to stem the tide of insecurity across communities in the state.

Our correspondent reports that residents across the state are divided in their opinions about the usefulness of the vigilante, based on their excesses in their localities, which allegedly range from extortion, theft, rape to collaboration with armed invaders to wreak havoc in communities.

A resident of Kastina-Ala Local Government Area, simply identified as Solomon, lamented that the Benue State Government established its own trained vigilante group to safeguard people, but unfortunately, some members of the group indulge in illicit activities that trample on human right abuses.

He said, “Vigilante groups in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area have on multiple occasions been accused of committing human right abuses, including extrajudicial killings and torture. They often operate outside the law, making it difficult to hold them accountable for their actions.”

Edeh Job, a Makurdi resident, shared his experience in the hands of vigilantes as he alleged that they harass and intimidate innocent citizens, while also conniving with criminal elements to rob and break into houses to steal.

Responding, the Benue State Civil Protection Guard (BSCPG) commander, Captain Ayuma Ajobi (retd), said his men were well trained to abide by the ethics of their engagement. He, however, admitted that there had been few bad eggs in the past who were dismissed from the outfit over their involvement in extortion, rape and theft.

 

Experts speak

A security expert, Detective Auwal Bala Durumin Iya, who is the director of Walawas Security Outfit in Kano, said it was wrong to underrate the work of the vigilante.

“They have been behind several security successes reported but without being recognised,” he said. 

He said thta despite the important roles vigilante groups play in managing security in communities, issues are poorly handled.

“Most of them do not have the basic knowledge on security management, and as such, they are exposed to doing things wrongly. They lack the knowledge of operating within communities, and this has been pushing the groups to goof while executing their duties,” he said.   

He disclosed that there were over 86 community security associations across the states and several documented vigilante groups as well.

A former security aide to the Kwara State Government who spoke anonymously lamented the excesses of some of the vigilante groups in the state.

He said, “A fracas in the state resulted in the killing of some people from a particular tribe. The issue led to the relocation of some leaders of one of the vigilante groups outside the country, up till now.”

 

Operations

Many residents are calling for stricter supervision, professional training and financial support from the government to ensure that vigilantes operate within the bounds of the law.

A Kano-based security expert and detective, Auwal Bala Durumin Iya, who spoke with our correspondent, said people had confidence in the group as they would prefer to appear before the vigilante than any other security outfit.

“In Kano, they are required to register with the state Ministry of Rural and Community Development. Their core mandates are to assist the police and other security agencies to curb crime, crowd control during public functions and assisting with information to help detect criminals,” he said.

A community leader in Ikeja, Mr Samuel Ayorinde, said the LNSC was doing a lot in terms of collaborating with other security agencies to detect and fight crimes in communities.

He recalled that the corps was responsible for chasing area boys and street urchins out of the community.

A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ambrose Aisabor, in an interview with Weekend Trust, said there was no need for any local government or other local outfit to exist when the state has its own.

“I am not even sure that those in Uromi are products of this security network. I am sure it was arranged by the local government chairman and some indigenes of that area, just like a youth body. That is what they were doing. It was not really a security outfit sponsored by the state government. There was no need for such an outfit to exist when the state has its own security network,” he said.

 

Laws establishing them

Vigilante groups in Kano are under a state commander, supported by zonal commanders and unit heads at the ward level. Weekend Trust gathered that each vigilante group is organised at each local government with an average of 10 to 15 persons as operatives. The Kano State Government supports them with uniforms and vehicles, which they use for patrol. 

The state commander of the vigilante group, Shehu Muhammad Rabiu, said although the state government was very supportive of their activities, members of the group faced threat to their lives because of the deterioration of the security situation in the country.

The commandant of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Plateau State, Joseph K. Zimmah, said the outfit was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, with branches across the states of the federation; hence they are legally permitted to operate. 

The commandant pointed out that although there are different vigilante groups in Plateau State working in different communities and beats/areas, they all have state commanders/commandants/commands they report to, adding that they are not just working on their own in the communities. 

For vigilantes in Niger State, their general duties as outlined in part III of the law, include the prevention and detection of crime, apprehension of offenders, preservation of law and order and protection of lives and property. Additional responsibilities include securing government installations against theft and vandalism, providing round-the-clock security in villages, wards, local government areas and across the state. The corps are also tasked with maintaining vigilance at major markets, plazas, hospitals, companies, clinics and residential areas to guard against attacks and vandalism.

 

How to check erring members

The Kwara State secretary of the Community Policing Advisory Committee, Shola Muse, said vigilantes needed a lot of surgical operations to make them conform with security present realities. 

“Most of them are not educated and don’t know anything about the rule of law. Naturally, they are supposed to hand over suspects to the police, but at times, they play the latter, which is illegal.

“Now, we all know that this act of ignorance is not tenable in the eyes of the law. So there is a need for reorganisation of the outfits with clear terms of reference through a lot of seminars. Now, everybody wants to be a vigilante because of the undue privilege it provides. 

“They should be put under community policing of the state, which consists of seasoned security experts and technocrats that will be able to properly guide them in line with the government provisions and laws of the country. However, we need them to support the police,” Muse added.

A community leader in Okelele, Alhaji Olesin Abdullahi said, “Government needs to regulate their activities, not banning them.

Speaking with Weekend Trust, a leader of the vigilantes in Kwara State, Alhaji Ibrahim Saka, said the issue had to do with registration.

“Most of those that are committing these excesses are not registered. They start actions the community appreciates until they get to the situation that people are now complaining about.

Saka, who said he had spoken with the commandant-general of the Nigeria Vigilantes in Abuja, Navy Captain Abubakar Bakori Umar (retd) over the development, said they had taken steps to address the issue.

“What we agreed on henceforth is that any group that commits these excesses should be mentioned by their names and not vigilantes, or ‘unregistered’ should be added if they must be called such. We registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission before we were given licences,” he said.

In Edo State, before their recruitment, members of vigilante groups are usually asked to sign an undertaking to abide by the rules and regulations guiding their operations. One must be 18 years and above with no of previous convictions before his enlistment, it was gathered.

Members are, therefore, subjected to disciplinary actions if they err. If a member commits a criminal offence, he shall be surrendered to the police for investigation and prosecution and is deemed dismissed if found guilty of the offence.

Zauren Sulhu (local arbitration panel) is often engaged to reconcile members involved in civil disagreement. Failure to reconcile may lead to court adjudication on the matter.

 

‘We also suffer losses’

The chairman of the CJTF, Babashehu Abdulganiu, said Boko Haram insurgents and the Islamic State of West African Province terrorists had killed over 1,773 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the North-East region.

Abdulganiu said CJTF operatives paid the supreme price while fighting terrorists along with the military in terrorists’ enclaves in Sambisa forest and the Lake Chad area. He said the deaths were recorded between 2012 and 2022.

He noted that while some of the gallant men died repelling attacks in Maiduguri, others sacrificed their lives by hugging suicide bombers during attempts to attack innocent people.

Our correspondents report that in 2024 alone, more than 50 members of various vigilante groups across the country died in the course of operations.

They suffered casualties in the course of their operations in states like Niger, Lagos, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kwara and other states. In Kwara State, the vigilantes lost six members in the last two years in the course of their duties. 

“We lost three personnel in Olooro, two in Omu-Aran and one in Afon in Moro, Irepodun and Asa local government areas of Kwara State,” said an official.

In Kwara, some of the vigilante leaders have been killed in the process of providing security for the citizens.

A recent case was the death of Chief Lukman Balogun, a prominent vigilante commander during an operation to save three women who were abducted from Igbaja community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The death of the former Jagun of Igbaja land led to a protest by local youths. He was killed during a gun battle between his group and the kidnappers.

Findings indicate that scores of vigilantes and hunters have been killed by bandits and other criminals during operations in the state. 

Investigation further revealed that vigilantes, especially hunters, are actively participating in joint military operations against criminals in Bauchi State, with reports of some losing their lives in the process.

Additional contributions from Titus Eleweke (Awka); Hassan Ibrahim (Bauchi); Dickson S. Adama (Jos); Ali Rabiu Ali (Dutse); Abubakar Akote (Minna); Tosin Tope (Akure); Ahmad Datti (Kano); Usman A. Bello (Benin); Hope Abah (Makurdi); Mumini Abdulkareem (Ilorin); Dickson S. Adama (Jos); Tijani Labaran (Lokoja); Kevin Meluwa (Asaba) & Peter Moses (Lagos).