The Impact of Local Vigilante Groups in Combating Crime and Insurgence in Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria

This study revealed the positive and negative impact of local vigilante in its quest to assist the security agencies in the business of securing lives and properties. With this, measures can be put in place in order to enhance the viability of the outfit in providing adequate security and avoid colossal damages from its members. Knowing the impact of the outfit is also resourceful in building the relationship between traditional rulers and the outfit, which will serve as a vital implement for fight against insurgence, because the role of traditional rulers cannot be undermined in the fight against insurgence. With the findings members of vigilante outfit know if they have been working in accordance to their mission, goals and objectives. It helps the outfit in improving on its weaknesses and build strongly on its strength. Local vigilantes have made considerable impact in Suleja, considering the attestation of community dwellers that the presence of local vigilante scares away criminals. The credit by several respondents that they have knowledge of incidents were vigilantes counter criminal operations or made arrest over offence is another indication that the outfit have been making positive input in its capacity to foster peace and security of the people of Suleja LGA. Another credit to the impact of local vigilante is the fact that they are more prompt in answering to distress call than the police. Inhabitants of Suleja LGA believe that the local vigilante is faster in attending to their situations compare to the police. Credits mentioned above is corresponding with the assertion of the Commandant SECSC that the SECSC have achieved greatly in reducing crime rate and creating a peaceful and conducive society for businesses to flourish in Suleja. Most importantly, this study serves as a tool to guide the ongoing debate on the bill for establishing the Vigilante Group of Nigeria as one of the government security agency. A deep knowledge on the role, method of operation and capabilities of the members of this group, revealed the advantages and disadvantages of making the outfit another formal security agency. local vigilante outfit in Suleja LGA, have considerably made positive impact, there is therefore need to look critically into this outfit in tackling crime in Suleja LGA, Niger state and Nigeria at large. Lapses of the outfit could be corrected and the outfit could be used as crime and insurgency keeps increasing.