Justice for All (J4A) equips Vigilante groups in Niger

In a bid to curb the high level of insecurity in Nigeria, the Justice for All (J4A), a programme of the Department for International Development, DFID in collaboration with Collaboration with CLEEN foundation has donated operational equipment to some selected Voluntary Policing groups popularly called vigilante groups in Niger State.

Kemi Okenyodo, the Executive Director of CLEEN in a statement issued today quoted Component Lead Consultant for the project, Mrs. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma as saying the donation was aimed at better equipping the groups in the areas of service delivery, accountability and management.

Speaking further on the importance of VPS in the nation’s security system, Effah-Chukwuma said, “Over the years, the important role being played by vigilante groups in ensuring public safety and security in inner cities and rural communities which usually play host to poor and vulnerable persons, can neither be overlooked nor downplayed”.

“Some of these groups are known to work closely with and render assistance to the Nigeria Police Force in curbing crime”, she added.

The project is currently being executed in 7 states across the country. The states are Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Niger, Jigawa, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In each of these states, The Complete News learnt that “some police divisions are selected and transformed to Model Police Stations; and VPS groups working around these selected stations are identified and their capacity built. Trainings on Human Rights, Conflict Management, Basic Policing Skills and Organizational Management are organized for the VPS executives and operatives”.

In Niger state, the project is targeting VPS groups in operation in Chanchaga and Bosso Local Government areas of the state. These groups have not only been trained, they have also been linked to the police divisions in charge of the areas they operate, and jointly they would be policing their communities. The equipment being donated is to assist the VPS groups in effectively carrying out their duties. The equipment include rain boots, raincoats, torch lights, arm bands, whistles, batteries etc.