I read with great concern the Daily Trust editorial titled "Regulate Vigilante Operation," which highlights a troubling and persistent reality: the rising number of deaths among vigilante groups in Nigeria.

Almost daily, news reports tell of brutal ambushes, gun battles, and deadly encounters between local security volunteers and heavily armed bandits. Whether they are called the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Community Protection Guards (CPG), Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), or local hunters, these hybrid forces are paying the ultimate price in their attempt to fill the country's security vacuum.

These mounting losses expose a deeper crisis: the inability of Nigeria's formal military and paramilitary agencies to meet citizens' expectations. In the absence of adequate state protection, communities have no choice but to rely on vigilantes for local defense--often at a deadly cost.

To mitigate this worsening situation, it is essential to overhaul the operational frameworks guiding vigilante activities. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) must be reviewed to include rigorous training, clear recruitment guidelines, and strategic coordination with official security agencies.

Furthermore, training programs should focus on teaching discipline, professional conduct, and situational awareness to enhance the capacity of these civilian forces.

Fatima Ikram Abubakar is a Mass Communication student at Afe Babalola University, Ekiti, can be reached via [email protected]