The Centre for Inclusive Social Development (CISD) has urged increased collaboration between communities and local vigilante groups as part of efforts to confront Nigeria’s persistent security concerns.
The call was made during the second edition of the organisation’s Civic Talks dialogue series held in Abuja, where participants examined the theme, “From Fear to Safety: Rethinking Security and Civic Responsibility in Nigeria.”
Speaking at the forum, the Civic Talks Team Lead, Chisom Okoli, described vigilante groups as the closest and most accessible security structure in many communities, stressing the need for residents to actively engage with them.
She noted that insecurity continues to affect many parts of the country and encouraged citizens to promptly report suspicious activities or potential threats to available security operatives, particularly community vigilante groups.
Okoli maintained that safeguarding lives and property remains a core responsibility of government, adding that authorities should establish accessible channels through which citizens can report security concerns without difficulty.
She also highlighted the importance of strengthening communication between government institutions and citizens to improve public safety and security response mechanisms.
According to her, incidents such as kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, communal violence and crimes associated with “one chance” operators underscore the urgent need for coordinated action.
She explained that Civic Talks was created to provide a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on pressing national issues and generate recommendations that can shape advocacy efforts and policy interventions.
Also speaking, security analyst and retired Wing Commander Kelechi Ukanwa stressed the need for community-driven intelligence gathering and the establishment of effective early warning systems across communities.
He said neighbourhood security initiatives and local policing structures remain valuable tools in crime prevention, adding that citizens should cultivate a strong sense of security awareness.
Ukanwa encouraged communities to take practical steps to improve safety by addressing environmental vulnerabilities such as inadequate lighting and organising volunteers to support official security agencies.
He further advised community groups and stakeholders to work collectively rather than independently, advocating the creation of unified platforms for engaging authorities through credible communication channels.
The retired officer also called on leaders at all levels to champion proactive security measures and address the needs of vulnerable populations, warning that neglecting such groups could worsen existing security challenges.
The Divisional Police Officer of the FCT Police Command, CSP Alex Annagu, urged residents to maintain trust in security agencies, noting that the police were continually improving service delivery through reforms and stakeholder engagement.
While acknowledging the contributions of vigilante groups to community policing, he stressed that their activities should be properly coordinated and aligned with police operations for maximum effectiveness.
Annagu described security as a shared responsibility, urging citizens to support efforts aimed at maintaining peace and public safety.
He also cautioned against acts that undermine security, such as vandalising public infrastructure, while reaffirming the police commitment to protecting lives and property.
Contributing to the discussion, youth leader from Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nuhu Nga, lamented the devastating impact of insecurity on communities in the area, saying residents long for a return to normal life under peaceful conditions.
Nga disclosed that from 2000 to 2026, more than 1,200 people had been killed in the area, while thousands of farmlands were destroyed and hundreds of residents injured.
He said communities often lacked effective channels for relaying intelligence and warning signs to government authorities before attacks occurred.
Conflict reporter with Premium Times, Yakubu Mohammed, observed that security challenges differ across Nigeria’s regions and argued that inadequate understanding of these local realities often hampers the development of lasting solutions.
He called for greater attention to the underlying causes of insecurity and urged authorities to ensure accountability in implementing security interventions, noting that sustainable peace requires both strategic action and consistent follow-through.