Kebbi State Deploys 3,000 Vigilantes to Combat Banditry and Kidnapping

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idri has authorized the training and deployment of 3,000 vigilantes to enhance community protection and support existing security agencies in combating banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnapping. The vigilantes, drawn from 21 local government areas, are undergoing a 14-day training program covering tactics, intelligence gathering, human rights, first aid, and weapon handling.

The initiative aims to address the security gaps in the state, with the governor emphasizing the importance of community participation in security operations. The trained vigilantes will work alongside formal security agencies like the Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigerian Army.

The program includes the provision of vehicles and motorcycles to support field operations. The current batch of 500 vigilantes is expected to graduate soon, with plans to train the remaining 2,500 in three phases.