By Felicia Imohimi
The Miyetti-Allah Fulaku Yeso Yeso Development Association (MAFYDA) has urged the Federal, State and Local Governments to engage and empower local vigilantes to tackle rising insecurity across the country.
The National Security Adviser of MAFYDA, Comrade Pariya, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
Pariya said vigilante groups in communities should be allowed to operate in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in security operations aimed at curbing insecurity.
According to him, empowering local vigilantes to combat kidnapping and insurgency requires integrating them into the formal security framework through state-backed legislation and adequate supervision.
He said such groups should also be trained in intelligence gathering and weapons handling, while being provided with logistical support such as communication gadgets and patrol vehicles.
Pariya further recommended improved welfare and proper training for vigilantes to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies.
He noted that local vigilantes were more familiar with the terrain of their communities and could easily identify suspicious movements and criminal hideouts.
“Local vigilantes should be allowed to operate freely in collaboration with conventional security operatives, which is a way forward in addressing the spate of security threats in the country.
“In every vigilante troop, government should allow at least one Hilux vehicle of the Army, Civil Defence or Police to accompany them.
“Engaging local vigilantes is key in combating the nefarious activities of kidnappers and other security challenges because they are closer to the communities and know the terrain very well.
“Government should do everything possible to give them the needed support in ensuring a lasting solution to the challenge and restoring relative peace across communities in the country,” he said.
Pariya urged state governments to prioritise the security of lives and property by putting adequate measures in place to address security challenges in their various communities. (NAN) www.nannews.ng