The Miyetti-Allah Fulaku Yeso Yeso Development Association, MAFYDA, has urged the Federal, State and Local Governments to engage and empower local vigilante groups as part of efforts to address rising insecurity across the country.
The National Security Adviser of MAFYDA, Comrade Pariya, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Thursday in Abuja.
Pariya said vigilante groups in communities should be allowed to operate in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in tackling insecurity.
According to him, integrating local vigilantes into formal security operations through state-backed legislation and adequate supervision would strengthen efforts to combat kidnapping, insurgency, and other crimes.
He also advocated training for vigilante members in intelligence gathering and weapons handling, alongside provision of logistics support such as communication gadgets and patrol vehicles.
Pariya further called for improved welfare packages and proper training for local vigilantes to enable them to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies.
He noted that local vigilantes possessed better knowledge of their communities and could easily identify suspicious movements and criminal hideouts.
“Local vigilantes should be allowed to operate freely in collaboration with conventional security operatives, which is a way forward in addressing the spate of security threats in the country.
“In every vigilante troop, government should allow at least one Hilux vehicle of the Army, Civil Defence or Police to accompany them.
“Engaging local vigilantes is key in combating the nefarious activities of kidnappers and other security challenges because they are closer to the communities and know the terrain very well.
“Government should do everything possible to give them the needed support in ensuring a lasting solution to the challenge and restoring relative peace across communities in the country,” he said.
Pariya also urged state governments to prioritise the protection of lives and property by putting adequate measures in place to tackle security challenges in their respective communities.
