Army urges vigilante group to share timely intelligence

The Commander, Presidential Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya and the Commander-General of the VGN, James Udoma during the visit...Photo Credit: VGN

The Commander, Presidential Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya, has urged the Vigilante Group of Nigeria to share timely and credible intelligence with the military to help tackle insecurity.

He said grassroots intelligence gathered by vigilante groups was critical to the success of security operations, stressing that military operations could be undermined without timely and credible information.

A statement released on Monday by the VGN’s spokesman, Igho Akeregha, said Onasanya gave the charge when the Commander-General of the VGN, James Udoma, led a delegation of senior officers on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Presidential Guards Brigade in Abuja.

“If we continue conducting operations without timely and credible intelligence, it will not be good for security stability. This is where we need the cooperation of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria to help us with reliable and credible intelligence.

“Any information the VGN has, please share it with us. We will act on it. We will work with you to eradicate the proliferation of light and small arms in the country,” he was quoted as saying.

The Brigade Commander also commended members of the VGN for their sacrifices and contributions to security operations, saying the military was willing to strengthen collaboration with the group.

He said, “The VGN is an important partner and we are ready for more joint operations with you. We will however ensure that your men are not put in harm’s way as we will do all we can to protect them during future operations.”

Onasanya also disclosed that there were already threats ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the VGN to provide information on any perceived threat to national security.

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He said, “The period that we are in, there are people who have made up their minds to destabilise Nigeria and we will not allow that to happen.”

He assured VGN personnel involved in joint operations with the Guards Brigade that their welfare would be given adequate attention.

Earlier, Udoma said the visit was to brief the Brigade Commander on the activities of the group and his recent appointment as the Commander-General of the VGN, following the death of his predecessor, Navy Captain Umar Bakori (retd.).

Udoma commended the Presidential Guards Brigade for its role in protecting the President and the First Family, as well as ensuring security in the Federal Capital Territory.

He said the VGN’s presence across the 774 local government areas gave it access to grassroots information that could assist conventional security agencies.

Udoma said, “I consider this visit very important in view of the special role of the PGB in ensuring national security. I appreciate the great efforts of the Commander Guards Brigade in providing visionary leadership that is keeping the Federal Capital Territory, which is the seat of power safe for all residents.”

He noted that although the Police remained the lead agency for internal security, the VGN could complement the efforts of security agencies through its grassroots presence.