By Kingsley Omonobi
ABUJA — The Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) has appealed to the Federal Government to provide protective kits and other equipment for its members following the killing of several vigilantes during operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements across the country.
The group also unveiled its proposed security strategy for the 2027 general elections, saying its grassroots presence would be used to provide early-warning information and support to conventional security agencies.
The Commandant-General and National Chairman of VGN, Otunba James Udoma, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the group’s strategic security posture ahead of the 2027 elections.
Udoma said the group’s election security framework was not intended to replace the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) or other statutory security agencies.
He said the VGN would instead leverage its grassroots network to strengthen community-based intelligence and support lawful security interventions.
“Our 2027 election security strategy is not designed to replace the Armed Forces, the Police, DSS, NSCDC or any statutory security institution.
“It is designed to ensure that our grassroots presence becomes a responsible additional source of early-warning information and community support for the national security architecture,” he said.
Udoma said VGN members would be required to operate within the law and maintain the confidence of the communities they serve.
He warned that members who acted outside their lawful mandate would face disciplinary measures, adding that the organisation would not tolerate intimidation, extortion, harassment, impersonation, abuse of authority or partisan conduct.
“Our loyalty is to Nigeria, the rule of law and the peaceful democratic process. We will protect the right of every citizen to participate peacefully in democracy, regardless of political affiliation,” he said.
The VGN boss said its members would not intimidate voters, obstruct accredited election officials, participate in partisan activities or take the law into their own hands.
He explained that where members witnessed security incidents, their responsibility would be to observe, report and support lawful intervention by competent authorities.
Udoma said the organisation would strengthen its grassroots information network across states, local government areas, wards and communities to facilitate the rapid transmission of credible information to relevant authorities.
According to him, the VGN is developing a 2027 Election Security Support and Community Intelligence Framework aimed at improving the flow of grassroots intelligence to conventional security agencies before, during and after the elections.
He said the framework would also remain operational after the elections to help identify emerging tensions, threats to public order and other security concerns before they escalate.
“Election security does not end when voting ends. The period immediately after elections can present its own security challenges,” he said.
On political neutrality, Udoma said the VGN was not a political organisation and warned members against using the group’s uniforms, offices, vehicles, insignia or positions to campaign for political parties or candidates.
“VGN is not a political party. Our members may have individual political preferences as citizens, but the organisation itself must remain politically neutral in the discharge of its security-support responsibilities,” he said.
He also urged Nigerians not to be afraid of the 2027 elections, but to participate peacefully, respect the law, verify information before sharing it and report suspicious activities through appropriate channels.
“We may belong to different political parties, but we belong to one Nigeria. Our democracy must be stronger than our political disagreements,” he said.
Udoma called on commanders and members nationwide to embrace discipline and professionalism, while urging conventional security agencies to strengthen cooperation with the VGN where appropriate and lawful.
He said the organisation’s approach ahead of the elections would be guided by the principles: “Observe. Report. Prevent. Support. Protect — within the law.”
The Commandant-General further appealed to the Federal Government to support vigilantes with protective equipment, noting that members had continued to participate in operations against kidnapping, banditry and other crimes in several communities.
He said adequate protection and equipment would enhance the ability of VGN personnel to support security agencies while reducing the risks faced by members during operations.
Udoma assured Nigerians that the VGN remained committed to contributing its grassroots reach and experience to efforts to maintain peace, security and national unity before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
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