Pro-Government Militias

Pro-Government Militia Website

Neighbourhood Watch / Vigilante Groups (Nigeria)

Basic Group Information

Name assigned by coder: no
PGM ID Number: 402
Country: Nigeria
Date formed: Sept. 30, 1996
    Accuracy of date formed: day
Details of Formation: Neighbourhood watch was set up under Edict No.34 Volume 29 of 21 October 1996 in Lagos state to assist the police in combat crime at a community level. The concept has been adopted by Edo, Enugu and Anambra state.
Date dissolved: Unknown
    Accuracy of date dissolved: day
Details of Termination: Still existing.
Termination Type(s): not terminated

Former and Successor Group Information

Predecessor group(s): none
Successor group(s): none
Private Military Company? no
Former Group? no information
    Former Armed Group? no information
Former Rebel Group? no information
    Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: none
PGM Becomes Rebel Group? no information
    Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: none

Government Relation, Support, and Training

Government Relation: semi-official (type 2)
Created by the Government?: no information
    Main Creating Government Institution: none
Government Link(s): sub-national government
    If link to party, name of party: None
Training and Equipment: yes
Shared Information and Joint Operations: yes
Shared Personnel: no information
Type(s) of Material Support: domestic government; plunder and loot; foreign support
State Sponsor(s): United Kingdom
Other Connection(s):

Group Characteristics

Membership: village/rural
Primary Membership: local
Alternative Primary Membership: no information
Location: Lagos, Anambra, Edo, Adamawa and Enugu state
Force Strength: [unknown, 3000]
Target(s): civilians; criminals
Purpose(s): protect property and investment; self-defense and security; anti crime

Ethnic Characteristics

Ethnic Target(s): none
    Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: not applicable
Ethnic Membership: none
    Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: not applicable
Ethnic Purpose: none
    Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: not applicable

Other Information

Other Information: Only limited information was found regarding operational activity. However, due to the nature of this PGAG, we can assume that they have been active constantly. The grassroots level of operation can be assumed to bias press-coverage. Also employed to monitor waste management in Lagos. First the membership was voluntarily but evolved into full-time basis employment (from 2000). In Adamawa, it is called "Neighbourhood Watch Organisation and was installed in 2001. "

New Variables from Meta-Analysis

Purpose

Purpose: The vigilante group was set up to integrate locals into security provision. As a consequence, members arrested and killed suspected criminals.
Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use unknown

Treatment of Civilians

Treatment of Civilians: The militia attacked suspected robbers and killed them. In addition, they violently extorted money from civilians.
Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: killing

Reasons for Membership

PGM Members Coerced? no
PGM Members Paid? yes
Reasons for Membership: Membership were local residents who joined the group voluntarily.
PGM Members Killed? no information

PGM Size

Size: The militia had 3,000 members.

Weapons and Training

Weapons and Training: The militia was provided with arms and vehicles by the local government.

Organisation

Organisation: The local government provided the militia with equipment and weapons and traditional leaders were supposed to serve as patrons. Commanding officers were appointed by the state governor.

Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis

Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD.

Evidence