No fewer than 300 vigilantes have been trained to complement security agencies in combating crimes and traffic control in Bauchi State during and beyond Ramadan period.
Alhaji Bala Wunti, a Philanthropist, said this at the closing ceremony of the training in Bauchi on Sunday.
Wunti said with a well-structured neighbourhood watch security outfit, potential crimes would be detected early and prevented before maturing into full-blown crime.
“Issues of security and safety have been a major migraine in the society in view of increasing acts of lawlessness and social disorder exemplified by invasion of some hoodlums in some communities, armed robbery and kidnapping which was brought to limelight,” he said.
He said the 300 vigilante members were drawn from various vigilante organisations for the training across the state.
The philanthropist represented by his aide, Malam Isiyaka Wunti, explained that the workshop which was meant to train the participants on security and civil relations.
He said professionals from the police and other relevant organisations were invited to train the participants with a view to equipping them with security skills and crime management at public gatherings, adding that with a view to step down the training.
Wunti disclosed that each participant was given one bag of rice, clothes and a token of N5,000 at the end of the workshop.
The District Head of Bauchi metropolis, Alhaji Nuru Jumba, charged the security outfits to provide adequate security at mosques against social miscreants.
“I called on all security agencies, members of Islamic Aid organisations and other vigilante groups in the state to provide adequate security during night prayers, Sallah celebrations and other activities throughout this Ramadan period,’’ Jumba said.
According to him, criminals and thieves often steal vehicles parked by worshipers during such midnight prayers, rob worshippers and flee without being caught in some areas.
He said the aid groups and vigilante organisations have roles to play in preventing such criminals from committing their atrocities during the ‘tahajjud’ prayers.
Jumba also urged the participants to complement the effort of security agencies in crime and traffic controls on Sallah (Eid) day, saying “there are not less than seven Eid mosques in the state capital where thousands of Muslims observe prayers.
Jumba charged the Islamic aid groups to control crowd at their respective mosques to prevent stampedes at Eid grounds, advising them to cooperate with security agents to ensure hitch-free celebration.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Malam Ibrahim Mohammed of Jama’atul Nasrul Islam (JNI) aid group, commended the effort of the organiser of the training, saying this is a right step in the right direction for the aid groups and the vigilante members.
According to him, the training will go a long way in equipping our knowledge and skills on fighting crimes and crowd control, especially this Ramadan and the Sallah celebrations.
He pledged that participants would make good use of the knowledge acquired at the two-day training and would complement efforts of security agencies in the state. (NAN)
Crime: 300 Bauchi vigilantes train to complement security agencies
