Representatives pass VGN bill

In a bid to ensure security of lives and property, the House of Representatives has passed a Bill seeking to establish the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN). The House unanimously endorsed the report on the legislation presented by Committee on Police Affairs with the deputy speaker, Engr Sulaimon Yussuff Lasun presiding.

The bill proposes that the group shall exist for the assistance of active collaboration with the Police and other law enforcement agencies to curb crimes., protect and preserve public property including crowd control and maintenance of peace at public function.

The VGN is also proposed to be under the command of the National Chairman and contingents of the service stationed in a state shall, subject to the authority of the National Chairman, be under the command of the chairman of the state.

Addressing National Assembly Correspondents shortly after the passage of the bill, the group’s Chief of Staff, retired Navy Captain Bakori Umar lauded the National Assembly for the passage of the bill.

Assuring that his outfit would provide support in the fight against crime in the society, he remarked the group enjoys the goodwill of traditional rulers and other eminent citizens in the country.

He expressed confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari will assent to the bill in the shortest possible time in view of the role played by Vigilante Group in keeping the peace in the country.