Pro-Government Militias
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
Evidence
- Examine the evidence for this coding.