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IJEBU-ODE – A vigilance group, the Obanta Safe and Secure Central Vigilante (OSSCV) of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun, has called on the Federal Government to develop a compulsory military training programme for citizens.
Mr Marcus Ayankoya, the group’s Zonal Commander, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday.
“The training programme should be for citizens aged 18 and above,’’ he said.
The zonal commander said the country would be better off in mounting a collective resistance to insecurity, when every Nigerian acquired self-defence skills.
He also advised the Federal Government to increase the duration of the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme from one year to two.
“This will give room for the absorption of the military training programme,’’ Ayankoya said.
The zonal commander also said more efforts should be aimed at providing jobs for the youths, in order to surmount the increasing spate of insecurity in the country.
He called on government and private organisations to assist his group’s members in checking criminal activities in the Ijebu-Ode area.
Ayankoya however said the fight against crime would be difficult if law enforcement agents were not adequately equipped.
“We have been trying to assist the police to curb crime in Ijebu-Ode in our own little way.
“We have curtailed the activities of cult groups and armed robbers who had been a major source of concern in Ijebu-Ode.
“However, our challenges remain inadequate finances and logistics,” he said.
Ayankoya expressed worry over the problem of paucity of funds facing local councils in the area, saying this had prevented them from fulfilling their obligations to the group.
He urged residents to see security agents as friends, and should not hesitate to report any suspicious activity to relevant authorities.
“Security is everyone’s responsibility. So, we must be committed in providing useful information to security outfits who will aid the fight against crime,” the vigilance group leader said.
OSSCV is a member of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, a body comprising vigilance groups in the country.(NAN)
