In Northwest Zamfara State, one of the kidnap-for-ransom hot spots in Nigeria, Community Protection Guards (CPG), a local vigilante group, have sprung up to protect and defend their kin and kith against ruthless terrorists.
Governor Dauda Lawal launched the civilian security group on Wednesday, saying it is a “decisive step towards tackling the insecurity challenges faced by our State and region.”
Last year, Governor Lawal drew 300 young men from the 14 counties in the State for combat training. On Wednesday, the first batch of the CPG trainees numbering 2,645 graduated.
“They have undergone rigorous training, extensive drilling, and an understanding of the rules of engagement, among other skills, to enable them to partner, assist, and work closely with security agencies to defend our homes and communities,” the Governor remarked.
The guards will bear arms. Governor Lawal is full of hopes that the step is one in the right direction to “reduce banditry and cattle rustling to its barest minimum in the shortest time possible while ending it totally in the not-too-distant future.”
Read the Governor’s remark: https://twitter.com/daudalawal_/status/1752825253091312007?s=19
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
