The newly appointed State Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) in Ogun State, Commander Ishola Shola Dayo, has pledged allegiance to Governor Dapo Abiodun and vowed to strengthen collaboration with security agencies to ensure the safety of residents.
Dayo made the pledge during a recent interview with journalists at his office in Abeokuta, the state capital.
“As the new State Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Ogun State Command, I, Commander Ishola Shola Dayo, also known as Agbon, am not here to play. I am here to work, and my mission is clear: to support the government and all security agencies in making Ogun State safe,” he said.
The commander stressed that his administration would not operate in isolation but would strengthen cooperation with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army, and the Ogun State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun.
He pledged to promote intelligence sharing and joint security operations to combat crime and improve security across the state.
Addressing concerns about the professional competence of VGN personnel, Dayo said his officers were adequately trained but noted that efforts would be made to revitalise their training, particularly in human rights, professionalism, and modern security operations.
The commander also appealed to Governor Abiodun to formally recognise the VGN Ogun State Command as a critical partner in the state’s security architecture.
Highlighting the group’s operational challenges, Dayo called for government support, including the provision of motorcycles to enhance patrols, facilitate swift responses to distress calls, and enable officers to cover identified crime-prone areas across the state’s 20 local government areas.
“We appeal to the state government to provide motorcycles for patrols so that we can respond swiftly to distress calls, patrol crime-prone areas, and support other security agencies across the 20 local government areas,” he said.
He also appealed for the provision of a state office to serve as the group’s operational base and administrative centre.
“The Vigilante Group of Nigeria is a voluntary organisation. We are not paid. We sacrifice our time and risk our lives to support the security efforts of both the Ogun State Government and the Federal Government. We need substantial government support to enable us to do more,” Dayo said.
He reaffirmed the group’s commitment to supporting the state government’s security initiatives, assuring Governor Abiodun of its loyalty and dedication to maintaining peace and security across Ogun State.
“We assure His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, of our total loyalty and commitment to a peaceful and secure Ogun State,” he concluded.
