A senior government official in Nigeria’s Kogi State has donated transport equipment to local vigilante and hunter groups, highlighting the growing reliance on community-led security in the region.
Oladele Nihi, the Special Adviser on Youth and Student Matters to the Kogi State Governor, handed over two motorcycles to the Vigilante and Hunters Associations in Aiyegunle Gbede. The move is part of a broader effort to strengthen the frontline response to rising insecurity in rural communities.
The presentation was made to the Oba Lateef Haruna, the traditional ruler of Aiyegunle Gbede, and the Community Development Association. Mr. Nihi stated that the donation was intended to complement the state government’s efforts to “combat crime and criminality.”
A “Frontline” Partnership
In many parts of Nigeria, local hunters and vigilante groups have become essential partners to the police, often possessing better knowledge of the difficult forest terrains where criminal gangs and kidnappers operate.
Mr. Nihi urged the groups to use the motorcycles strictly for their intended purpose: safeguarding the community. He also called on the local youth to play an active role, stating, “Join hands with police and hunters to fight crime. Together, we can make our community safer.”
The delegation included other high-ranking state officials, including Eniola Olayemi and Kunle Ola, signifying the official state backing of these grassroots security structures.
Analysis: What this means for Nigeria
By Segun Ojumu, Africa Eye News Correspondent
This small-scale donation in a Kogi community reflects a much larger, and often controversial, trend across Nigeria: the “informalisation” of national security.
1. The limits of federal policing
Nigeria is facing a multifaceted security crisis, ranging from banditry and kidnapping in the north to separatist unrest in the south. The federal police force is widely seen as overstretched and underfunded. Consequently, communities like Aiyegunle Gbede are increasingly taking their safety into their own hands, relying on local “hunters” who act as a first line of defence.
2. The “Motorcycle” Strategy
In the rugged, unpaved terrain of rural Kogi State, a motorcycle is often more effective than a standard police cruiser. These bikes allow vigilantes to navigate narrow forest paths where kidnappers often hide their victims. By providing these tools, officials are acknowledging that “low-tech” solutions are sometimes the most effective way to patrol the “last mile” of Nigerian territory.
3. The risks of Vigilantism
While these groups provide a sense of security, their rise brings challenges. Local hunters often lack the formal training in human rights and rules of engagement that regular police receive. There is a delicate balance for the government: they must empower these groups to keep the peace without allowing them to become laws unto themselves.
4. Youth Engagement as a Security Tool
By involving the “Special Adviser on Youth,” the government is attempting to steer young men away from crime and toward community service. In a country with high youth unemployment, the “hunter” and “vigilante” associations offer a sense of purpose and authority, which the state hopes will act as a deterrent to the lure of criminal gangs.
Add Comment