Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has launched the Niger Special Vigilante Corps (NSVC) aimed at checking the activities of youth gangs, especially in Minna.
The event which took place at the state police headquarters saw the parade of nine different local security outfits, who he said would complement the manpower deficit in the conventional security agencies, pointing out that their area of responsibility is within Minna and its environs.
The NSVC is made up of 161 members
According to the Governor, "while the security agencies were battling with bandits in the rural areas, a new dimension came in Minna which is unacceptable. We have situation where we have youth gangs fighting themselves, creating injuries on travelers. That is totally unacceptable".
The Governor said the state government and the Police Commissioner came up with the idea to integrate all the nine different local security outfits in the state into one special corps.
He urged parents to live up to their responsibility through good parenting.
The Governor appreciated the volunteers and assured them of all necessary support while enjoining them to take caution while discharging their duties and as well protect their lives within the purview of law against the youth gangs.
He also commended the security agencies for their fight against banditry, adding that the bandits must not force people to change their style of living.
"Bandits have forced us to change our way of life in Niger state, they stopped our children from going to school, stopped us from travelling on our roads, stopped farmers from going to farm and now they are trying to stop our children from going to Islamic school, but we will not be intimidated. We will not allow that to happen. We will continue to live our normal lives." He said.
The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Adamu Usman said that the special vigilante corps were trained in the last two weeks to be attuned to their responsibilities.
CP Usman commended the Niger State approach by empowering the police to train and supervise the activities of the Vigilante Corps.
The nine vigilante groups that formed the special force are; Chinaka, ADC, Abidoka, WAI BRIGADE, Hunters Group, AOG, Vigilantes, Maito Maitumbi Security Organisation.
Ten Hilux vans, 20 motorcycles were distributed to the corps at the occasion to assist them in their operations
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