The Assistant Commander General of Vigilante Group Nigeria, South- South Command, Dr. Henry Gordon Akpan has called on the federal and state governments of Nigeria to support the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) as one of its grassroots security out-fits that is helping to enhance the performance of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies in the country in fighting crimes and other social vices at the grassroots across the nation.
Dr. Akpan, who made the call in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, commended the vision of Alhaji Ali Sokoto, the founder of VGN for his vision about the group 20years ago. He noted that the vision and life style of Alhaji Sokoto, whom he described as a man that does not believe in any form of gratification from members, has helped in the achievements recorded by the group in combating crimes at the grassroots in the years gone by, using its slogan “say no to crime”, as a watch-dog.
The VGN South-South Commander, who recalled the number of suspected thieves they have apprehended and other reported cases to the police for proper investigation, added that they carry out this tedious task with their personal resources over the years, as a rooted organization across the country.
Dr. Akpan, however called on the federal and state governments to support and empower VGN through the provision of cars, patrol vans and all that is needed in fighting crimes at the grassroots, pointing out that such will spur their unrelented members to do more in their gallant services across the nooks and crannies of the nation.
He has in the mean-time, commended the states he said that have recognized the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), and urged others, particularly those in the South-South Zone to follow suit and help in providing cars, patrol vans and all necessary security gadgets that are required in combating crimes at the grassroots to help support the selfless effort and commitment of his men, as done to other security out-fits.
Akpan who pledged their continued resolve in fighting crimes, irrespective of loosing their members in the course of their duty, added that they would continue to carry out their task of fighting crimes in the society. He, however, called on the Federal and State government to lend their support, in order for them to continue their job more effectively.
The Assistant Commander of VGN, who described security as a collective responsibility, opined that it should not be left in the hands of government alone, while stressing that its menace could only be addressed through collective efforts. Akpan, further buttressed the need for government at all levels to support and empower the VGN as a grassroots security out-fit that knows who is who in every community of the country and ready at all times to arrest and alert the police on activities that are found to be inimical to the peace and stability of the people in all nooks and crannies of the nation.
On the issue of Boko Haram Akpan lauded the zeal and commitment of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in tackling the menace.
He explained that some Nigerians are misunderstanding the patience and leadership style of Jonathan to weakness, describing him as the best thing that has happened to this country in terms of leadership. He disclosed that Mr. President knows everything that is happening in this country, but decided to toe the part that will bring peace, unity, development and continued existence of Nigeria as one indivisible country, adding that he would continue to support Jonathan in every of his ambition to contest and remain in the presidential seat of power in Nigeria.
Dr. Akpan used the medium to call on their members, particularly those in the South-South Command, to put their trust in God, believing that their time, resources and commitment to the realization of the dream of the founding father, Alhaji Sokoto and the determination of President Jonathan in fighting crimes and insecurity in the country would provide an opportunity for their efforts to be recognized and celebrated by government at all levels in Nigeria, to join the league of other security out-fits in the nation, to enhance the enormous task of the Nigerian Police.
By Blaise Elumezie
