By Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, Abeokuta
The Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Ogun state command has dispelled proscription allegation levied against it by the Vigilante Service of the State (VSO) .
The Ogun VGN Commander, Mr. Nureni Olanrewaju who spoke at a press conference in Abeokuta at the weekend, described the allegation as untrue, saying the VSO was an arm of the VGN.
Saharaweekly recalled that, the VSO in an online publication disclosed that the VGN has been proscribed.
Nureni said that VGN had the backing and support of Gov. Ibikunle Amosun , insisting that there had been continuous synergy between VGN and state owned VSO as well as other security agencies in the state.
The VGN boss, however, expressed optimism that the VGN bill that would make them authentic federal government local security agency would soon be assented by President Muhammadu Buhari, following its passage by the National assembly.
He assured that the VGN would continue to support all the security agencies with necessary intelligence in order to secure the state.
“This press conference is necessary due to what we read in one of the Online news that VGN has been proscribed by the state government. It is absolute falsehood.
“I remember in 2014, when we at vigilante Group of Nigeria was called by a palm wine tapper on a suspected kidnapping which the victim was later discovered to be the wife of the former honorable speaker of Osun State.
” We swung into action and at the end we got the woman freed and handed her over to the police with the suspects.
“We have pictures that shows the suspects with VGN logo background for you to know the authenticity of the scene.
“I want to assure the public that the government of Ogun State led by our amiable governor , His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, con, FCA has been of a great support to VGN in Ogun State.
“The Governor has not for a day deny or proscribed VGN in Ogun State and we have not received any letter to that effect.
” We want our people to know that this is a pure baseless statement, we also implore our people to visit the state government to confirm the truth.
“The said statement again read that “Ogun State Government established Vigilante Service of Ogun State on Thursday 13th October, 2011”
“I again repeat that it was a lie, that day was the day his Excellency inaugurated VGN and handed over patrol vehicles to us. If we want to critically look into it.
“Vigilante Service of Ogun State was created as an arm of VGN in Ogun State so that it will stand as a security entity to work for the good people of Ogun under the supervision of VGN in Ogun State until the VSO denied our superiority.
“VGN in Nigeria including Ogun State is one led by the Commandant General, Dr. Usman Mohammed Jahun who installed and decorated me as the Ogun state commander.
” I repeat we have no faction in VGN. We are using this opportunity to let the good people of Ogun State know that we are readily available for their services in the area of security dissemination, “he said.
He appreciated the state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, for his support to the VGN.