The governor of Zamfara state in Nigeria has inaugurated a 2,600-strong vigilante force to combat violent criminal gangs terrorizing the northwest region.
The state, plagued by criminal bands known as bandits, has witnessed raids, looting, killings, and arson.
The gangs operate in a vast forest spanning multiple states, engaging in mass kidnappings of students.
Despite previous bans on vigilante groups due to concerns of escalating violence, the governor has introduced the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards, emphasizing their thorough training to prevent abuses.
The governor declared the graduation of the first batch of 2,645 guards, highlighting their readiness to tackle banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling, which have plagued the region for over a decade.
This move is part of broader efforts to address severe security challenges in Nigeria, with concerns arising about the bandits’ ties to jihadists involved in a 14-year insurgency in the northeast.
