In response to the escalating threat posed by kidnappers and bandits, 15 state governors in Nigeria have united to deploy a formidable force of 52,106 vigilantes. Delta, Kano, Plateau, Sokoto, and 11 other states have taken a proactive stance, bringing together vigilantes, hunters, and neighborhood watch groups to collaborate with existing police and security forces.
The surge in abductions across the country, affecting regions like the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Lagos, and others, prompted this collaborative effort. Despite the deployment of troops and police operatives, the security challenge has persisted.
In a tragic incident on Monday, two Ekiti monarchs, Oba Olatunde Olusola and Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin, were killed by gunmen. Simultaneously, the Alara of Ara Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, narrowly escaped harm. On the same day, suspected bandits abducted five pupils and four staff members from the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, demanding a N100 million ransom for their release.
This unified mobilization of vigilante squads aims to confront and deter the growing threat of abductions, reflecting a collective effort by the states to enhance security and protect their citizens.
