Vigilante seeks speedy passage of Bill

Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) had called for speedy passage of its bill awaiting third reading at the National Assembly to enhance nation’s community policing.

The group in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo after its South West meeting comprising all the commandants of the zone,said if the passage of the bill is expedited,the crime rate in every community in the country would be reduced.

It however appealed to concerned authorities at the senate and presidency to give the bill an express consideration in the interest of the country.

According to the Deputy Commandant General of VGN, Chief Jimoh Aliyu, opined that, if the group is transformed into a federal agency of community policing, it would assist in crime prevention.

He also remarked that, “Nigeria is currently under-policed with an abysmally poor police per population ratio of 187 per 100,000 people which is far cry from the United Nations ratio of 400 per 100,000 people”.

Chief Aliyu stressed if the bill is passed, the federal community police and the state police will significantly and positively improve internal security and transform policing from reactive to proactive policing.

“The VGN has been on the agitation for the passage of the bill in the past five years to serve as the panacea to the security challenges facing the nation such as kidnapping, ritual killings, insurgency group and ethnic violence.

Also speaking, the deputy state commandant of Lagos state, Mr Emmanuel Ayisire said “government should take cognizance of their contributions towards instituting community policing in Nigeria.”

According to him,” the group is committed to promoting community policing, crime control and prevention and to assist Nigeria Police Force in the protection of lives and property.”

He then maintained that,” the VGN is the only group that has its men domiciled in their areas of operation and understand topography and demography of their areas.

The group however appealed to the federal government as well as the National Assembly to fast track the transform of vigilante group of Nigeria into a federal agency for community policing.

He also charged the acting President of the country, Yemi Osinbajo to throw his weight behind the Group Bill to alleviate incessant crime rate in any given community in the country.