Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello in his efforts to contain the rising cases of insecurity in the state, has assented into Law, the Vigilante Corps Law.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar in a press briefing in Minna at the instance of the Governor.
He explained that the numerous voluntary organisations operating in the state, with the aim of protecting their various communities necessitated the establishment of the Vigilante Corps Law.
The Commissioner further said the law will help to organize and bring the various groups under one umbrella and ensure that their conduct is guided by the law.
He also expressed optimism that the decision of the state government will boost the activities of the Vigilante Corps so as to strengthen internal security architecture of the state.
Umar said the vigilante corps will complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies and mitigate the proliferation of small arms in the state.
He acknowledged the recent development at Runbun Giwa where a group of individuals called “Kungiyan Manoma” asked farmers to pay levy to bandits before accessing their farmlands and warned members of the group to desist from such criminal act while calling on all farmers not to comply with such directive as it was an attempt to extort them of their hard-earned money.
Umar who stressed that security operatives have been directed to flush the criminals, enjoined anyone with useful information that would lead to the arrest of the criminals, to meet the appropriate authority while assuring them that their identity will be treated with confidentiality.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner disclosed that some suspects linked to the Mazakuka attack have been arrested and investigations ongoing.
He recalled the working visit of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to some communities in Mashegu local government area affected by banditry activities in recent times to sympathize with the residents, assess the situation as well as develop new strategies to contain the situation to prevent reoccurrence.
The Commissioner further restated government’s resolve to ensure relative peace in all parts of the state maintaining that collaboration by all and sundry is key to achieving the desired objective.
