The Federal Capital Territory Administration in Nigeria has said it is planning to hire local vigilantes to protect schools in Abuja.
This was disclosed by the Director, Administration and Finance in the Security Services Department of the FCTA, Abdul-lateef Bello on Wednesday following security reports that bandits from adjoining states were fleeing to the capital city.
Addressing journalists, Bello noted that plans had been concluded to hire vigilantes to provide security for pupils in various public schools across the Territory.
He, however, added that it was a temporary measure to be used till a security blueprint is developed by the administration for the capital city.
“We are talking of short term measures when we said we are helping public schools to facilitate the procurement of vigilantes to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies.
“Remember that some of the vigilantes are equally part of the neighbourhood. They were sourced from the neighbourhood where those schools are situated. So, they know better.
“This is a way of establishing a relationship between the community and government. When the vigilantes see anything that is beyond them, they relate with the conventional security agencies to help out,” he said.
