Niger launches special security outfit

Niger State Government has launched its local security outfit, Niger Special Vigilante Corps (NSVC).

Launching the outfit yesterday at the state police headquarters, Minna, Governor Abubakar Bello stated that the NSVC was aimed at checking the activities of youth gangs that cause disturbances in Minna metropolis.

The governor said the special security personnel were drawn from nine different local security outfits.

Adding that the corps was to complement the manpower deficit in the conventional security agencies, he noted its areas of responsibility to be within Minna, the state capital, and environs to tackle violent activities of youth gangs.

“While the security agencies were battling with bandits in the rural areas, a new dimension came into Minna, which is unacceptable. We have a situation where fighting youth gangs injure travellers, that is totally unacceptable,” Bello warned.

The nine vigilance groups that formed the special force include Chinaka, ADC, Abidoka, WAI Brigade, Hunters Group, AOG Vigilantes and Maito Maitumbi security organisations.

Ten Hilux vans, 20 motorcycles and 161 personnel were part of Phase One, while the second phase is expected to be launched soon, and will be replicated in all the 25 local councils of the state.

Bello called on parents to live up to their responsibility through good parenting, so their children would not be culpable.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Niger State, Adamu Usman, had explained that the special corps were trained in the last two weeks to curb youth restiveness in the state capital.

Usman applauded the state government for its laudable efforts of empowering the police to train and supervise the activities of the new special vigilante corps.