The Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) has warned its personnel against using their uniforms, vehicles, insignia or position to campaign for any candidate or party during the 2027 elections.

 

The new Commandant-General of the VGN,Otunba James Udoma, gave the warning during a news conference on Wednesday at the Headquartres of the group in Abuja.

 

“Our loyalty is to Nigeria, the rule of law and the peaceful democratic process. We will protect the right of every citizen to participate peacefully in democracy, regardless of political affiliation.”

 

He further warned that this “VGN is not a political party”, saying that though members may have individual political preferences as citizens, the organisation must remain politically neutral in the discharge of its security-support responsibilities.

 

Udoma, however, disclosed that the VGN had concluded plans to provide credible grassroots information to support the conventional security agencies to ensure a peaceful environment before, during and after the general elections.

 

“The 2027 General Elections will be a major national undertaking. Elections are not simply political events. They are critical national processes that require peace, public confidence and an environment in which citizens can exercise their democratic rights without fear.

 

“The VGN is therefore preparing a 2027 Election Security Support and Community Intelligence Framework. The central objective is to strengthen the flow of credible grassroots information to the conventional security agencies before, during and after the elections,” Udoma said.

 

According to him, the VGN has strengthened community-level monitoring and reporting mechanisms by encouraging its personnel to identify and promptly report credible information relating to emerging threats, community tensions, suspicious activities, potential flashpoints and other developments that may have security implications.

 

“We will not replace intelligence institutions. Rather, we will provide community-level information to the appropriate authorities for professional assessment and action.”

 

Udoma said in line with President Bola Tinubu consistently emphasis on the need for all relevant institutions and stakeholders to contribute to the safety and security of Nigeria, the VGN recognises its responsibility to contribute within the limits of the law.

 

“Our commitment is therefore to support the national security architecture by providing useful community-level information and assisting in preventing avoidable security incidents. We will work under the principle that security is a collective responsibility, while recognising that statutory powers remain with the agencies legally empowered to exercise them.”

 

Udoma said the VGN under his leadership will pursue a new era of discipline, professionalism, intelligence-led community engagement, inter-agency cooperation and accountability, adding that the group’s 2027 election security strategy is not designed to replace the Armed Forces, the Police, DSS, NSCDC or any statutory security institution.

 

“It is designed to ensure that our grassroots presence becomes a responsible additional source of early-warning information and community support for the national security architecture.”