Superintendent of Police (SP) Chidi Okoye, Commander of the Zonal Quick Interventions Squad in Zone 2, has issued a strong call for increased collaboration between Nigeria’s formal security apparatus and community-based vigilante groups to combat rising insecurity. However, he simultaneously stressed the critical need for vigilant oversight to prevent vigilantes from becoming a threat themselves.
Okoye delivered his message during the 6th-anniversary celebration and awards ceremony of the Online Reporters Association of Nigeria (ORAN) on Tuesday. He positioned community policing as the cornerstone of effective security, arguing that the police force cannot operate in isolation.
“The police need the support of the community to effectively discharge their duties,” Okoye stated, acknowledging the operational challenges faced since the disbandment of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). He emphasized that new, collaborative strategies are essential to tackle evolving security threats.
A Four-Pronged Strategy for Security
The Zone 2 Commander outlined a comprehensive four-point approach to bolster security nationwide:
Enhanced Community Policing: Deepening partnerships between police and local communities to identify and jointly address security problems at their roots.
Citizen Feedback Mechanisms: Establishing suggestion boxes across communities to allow residents to anonymously report concerns and provide information on security issues.
Witness Protection Programs: Implementing robust programs to safeguard individuals who come forward with crucial information, encouraging greater citizen cooperation.
Synergy with Vigilantes: Fostering structured collaboration and information sharing between the police, paramilitary forces, and local vigilante groups.
Collaboration with Caution
While championing the vital role vigilantes could play, particularly due to their local knowledge and presence, SP Okoye sounded a clear note of caution. He warned that without proper monitoring and accountability, these armed groups risked morphing into societal threats.
“Armed vigilante groups should be properly monitored so they don’t become a threat to the very people they are meant to protect,” Okoye stressed. He called for transparency and clear accountability frameworks governing vigilante operations to prevent abuses of power and ensure they remain aligned with community safety goals.
A Commitment to Partnership
Reiterating the commitment of the Nigerian Police Force to public safety, Okoye emphasized openness to collaboration. “The police cannot do it alone,” he declared. “We need the support of the community, vigilante groups, and other stakeholders to effectively discharge our duties.”
He concluded by underscoring the potential impact of genuine synergy: “By working together, we can achieve more and make our communities safer. Tapping into the knowledge and expertise of vigilante groups within a structured framework is key to enhancing security locally.”
SP Okoye’s call highlights the ongoing search for effective security solutions in Nigeria, balancing the potential benefits of grassroots involvement with the imperative of maintaining control and preventing vigilantism. His emphasis on oversight alongside collaboration frames the critical challenge facing security strategies at the local level.
