We can’t protect schools without arms, says VGN

The Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) has defended the bearing of firearms by its operatives in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other parts of the country.

The group said it cannot protect public schools and other facilities assigned to it within the FCT and beyond without arms.

The VGN was reacting to a circular by the FCT Security Committee, which banned vigilante groups in the FCT from carrying arms.

The VGN Commander Generai, Navy Captain Umar Bakori (rtd), at a briefing in Abuja, said the group have put measures in place to check impersonation.

He noted that the VGN has been collaborating with the military and other security and intelligence agencies to rid the country of terrorism and other emerging security threats.

He said its members were trained by the army, police and the Department of Security Services (DSS).

He said: “I am sure the issue of banning vigilante from carrying arm is very unbecoming because there is no way we can operate without weapon. Most of our weapons are registered, as I said earlier, we assist the police. Before going on any operations, if we suspect anything, we report immediately to the Divisional Police Officer. There are DPOs that cannot lead an operation into certain localities without our men. We also assist the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), most of this successes they are recording are information from our men but because we don’t make noise, does not mean we are not working.

“We are not working because we want to be recognised, no we are working because we are Nigerians and we want the country to be safe. We must assist to ensure that our people sleep with their eyes closed.”

Recall that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Security Committee last week introduced a Code of Conduct for vigilance groups operating in the territory, placing a ban on the use of firearms by their members.