SAN FRANCISCO, January 02, (THEWILL) – Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has declared his support for the legislation of vigilante groups in the country to boost security.
Speaking when the leadership of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) paid him a courtesy call at his Presidential Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital, Obasanjo however stressed that the vigilante groups should embark on training through military or police training to make their activities more effective and efficient when they begin full operations.
Led by the Chief of Staff to the Commander-General, Chief Jimoh Aliu, the group tendered a letter to Obasanjo seeking his support on the statutory establishment of the body as one of the para-military organisations in the country.
The 4-page letter signed by Aliu stated that, the numerical strength of membership was overwhelming, and added that the group as a voluntary organisation since 1983 had been performing creditably well.
“Sir, I seize this opportunity to seek your support to use your good offices as father of all and approach the National Assembly to pass the establishment bill of Vigilante Group of Nigeria,” he said.
Responding, Obasanjo expressed optimism that the bill on the body would scale final hurdle at the National Assembly but insisted that there must also be a code of conduct for moderation of their activities.
“For me I don’t see any major problem in vigilante group being legislated and formalized because it will help you to function properly, it helps the communities in which you are to work,” he said.
“The point I am trying to make is that in a country of about 180 million people, you will have number of diverse security apparatuses. The more organised the better.
“There must be code of conduct, there must be training on how to respect people you are supposed to protect. You need standardized training. Components of civil defence in your training will be advantageous.
Story by Oputah David
