The Commandant General of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Captain Umar Abubakar (Retired), has called on the Federal Government to formally recognise and support the group, saying its members have the capacity to help eliminate banditry and other violent crimes across the country.
Abubakar made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja during a one-day Strategic National Economic Security Summit, where he spoke on the role of community-based security networks in addressing Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
He said that despite being unpaid volunteers, members of the group have continued to support local communities in tackling crime, noting that they are passionate about protecting lives and property. He said the group’s members “are not lazy” but “work tirelessly, even without pay, to keep the country safe.”
The retired naval officer disclosed that the VGN, which is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), boasts over one million members nationwide.
He added that with formal recognition and coordination, the group could neutralise the estimated 100,000 bandits operating in different parts of the country.
Abubakar said the group leads from the front and does not wait for the police or the army to act. According to him, “If given the opportunity, we can face them and neutralise the threat.
The military understands our role and has worked with us on several occasions.”
He explained that many of the VGN’s members had attempted to join formal security services but were unsuccessful, not due to a lack of competence but because of limited opportunities. “Many of us were rejected, not because we lack 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.
Abubakar maintained that the group’s operations complement those of existing law enforcement agencies and that official recognition would enhance coordination and effectiveness.
He stressed that the VGN was not asking for handouts but for support and collaboration to restore peace and security in the country.
According to him, the VGN’s close relationship with local communities gives it access to valuable intelligence and early warning signs of emerging security threats.
He noted that the group lives among the people it protects, which provides deep insight into the local terrain, language, and daily lives of residents.
Abubakar said the group’s focus is on safeguarding real targets such as markets, schools, streets, places of worship, and business centres where ordinary Nigerians live and work.
He added that while the group lacks advanced technology, its strength lies in its wide network and strong community ties. “Our strength lies in our numbers — over a million members, more than 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 summit, the Chairman of Obas of Yoruba in the FCT, Oba Dr. Olu Adeoye, said he had been working with relevant authorities, including the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Commissioner of Police, on strategies to address security challenges in the territory.
He said several meetings had been held with community and national leaders to tackle kidnapping and other crimes within the FCT. According to him, “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.”