We Lack Weapons, Vehicles, Manpower To Fight Bandits, Oyo Vigilante Group Raises Alarm

The Oyo State Vigilant Group of Nigeria (VGN) in all the 33 local government area of the state, on Wednesday raised fresh alarm over influx of the bandits into the forests in the Southwest states with sophisticated weapons.

The group said failure of the governor’s in the region to equip the group which usually have interface with the bandits in the forest could be a set back for fight against bandits.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the State Commandant of VGN, Comrade Ogunmakin Moses alleged that his men are suffering despite their commitment to the security of lives and properties in the state.

He said the edict that set up the Vigilant Group of Nigeria empowers it’s members to use sophisticated weapons, urging the state government to act before it is too late.

Listing some of the equipment the VGN needs to fight bandits, Moses said; “realignment of our outfit from the ministry of women affairs to local government and chieftaincy matters, no need to regularize vigilante patrol team from adhoc to permanent gazzetted staff, increment on our monthly stipend, procurement of sophisticated weapons and provision of mobility vehicle and motorcycle for efficient patrol.”

The Commandant of VGN in the state further said; “We have written about five letters to the governor but there was no response. We met with him when he was a year in office but we couldn’t discuss anything related to our welfare. Lack of supports from the state government is affecting discharging our duties.

“It is demoralizing our members. Whenever we are having distress call, our people are not encouraged to go into forest. This is the time we really need the support of the people especially in funding. This is because the bandits have surrounded us. The bandits are everywhere in Oyo state. This is the time the government need to empower us, so as tackle the bandits. We need logistics. Because of neglect, we have embarked on the strike before and we just resumed back after the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs appealed to us.

“Our monthly stipend is N17,000 and many are taking even smaller amount. The poor renumeration is one of the reasons our members are not ready to work again. We buy bullets and arms from our pocket. We only sacrifice our time and resources because we love our state. If we are empower with good arms, they cannot overpower us. We need pump actions and other sophisticated weapons to fight bandits in the forest, so as for the not to overpower us.”