The Akwa Ibom state commandant, Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Mr Micheal Joshua, has revealed that the state command has deployed one hundred gallant officers to complement efforts of the Joint Task Force (JTF) currently fighting insurgents in Northern states in the country.
Addressing a press conference Monday in Uyo, Joshua said even though President Mohammadu Buhar is yet to assent to the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, the organization has contributed greatly toward the fight against the security challenges in the North-east and other parts of the country.
Joshua said the organization which has also assisted in ensuring peace and security in Akwa Ibom state depend solely on volunteers who are passionate about peace and security of the country.
He said command has over 5,700 indigenes recruited into the organizers and trained by security experts to handle internal security and ensure adequate protection of lives and properties.
He said : “our men are deployed monthly to complement other sisters agencies who a currently fighting Boko Haram terrorist in the Northern parts of the country. We send one hundred personnel monthly. After one month we recall that batch and replace them with another group. I thank God we have not recorded any casualty.
“We have assisted the effort of the federal government in restoring security in the north. Vigilante Group of Nigeria is an institution properly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and recognized at all levels of government. The bill to regularize our operations has been passed by the National Assembly and is awaiting the president assent.
“There are pockets of insecurity in most parts of the country and you cannot use strangers to combat criminality in your area , you need the men on ground. That is importance of vigilante group. We have adequate knowledge of the environment we operate. The formation of vigilante group is important for internal security .
“We complement the Nigerian Police in fighting crime. We are not in competition with the police but assist them in the discharge of their duties. We have local government offices in the 774 local government areas the in country.”
Joshua expressed appreciation for the Akwa Ibom state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for providing office accommodation for the state and assisting the command.
