Vigilante commander urges synergy on Northwest insecurity

The National Chairman of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), retired Navy Capt. Umar Abubakar, has called on Northwest governors to team up against insecurity in the region.

Abubakar, who is also the Commander General of the group, made the call while on a courtesy visit to the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Kabir-Usman, in his palace on Wednesday.

According to him, no state can win the fight against banditry in isolation, as bandits always find escape routes due to different policies and approaches in the states.

He, therefore, urged the governors to work together, using a united and common approach to overcome the challenge.

“If the approach in Zamfara is different from the approach in Katsina and Kaduna, we cannot succeed that way,” he said.

While alleging that insecurity, as being currently witnessed, had a political undertone, he called for a joint resolution of all to support the government.

“Regardless of who is in government, the government is ours and we must do our utmost best to ensure that the government succeeds,” he said.

The commander general identified the major challenge of the group as logistics, decrying that governors are not doing much to assist them.

According to him, the group has so much to offer in the fight against banditry, especially since its members are locals and thus part and parcel of affected communities.

In his remarks, the Emir, who is also the Grand Patron of the group, stressed the importance of the group as a formidable tool in the fight against banditry.

According to him, they can easily identify the criminals within the society.

He urged the commander general to work hard and remain resolute while discharging his responsibilities for the progress of the country.

“I assure you of my continued support and call on you to remain firm and resolute in the discharge of your responsibilities,” he said.