By Edith Igbokwe
The Community Development Committee of Oshodi Local Government Area has invited the two warring factions of the security agency, Vigilante Group of Nigeria to a meeting to resolve their differences.
Following the promise by the government to legally incorporate the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), the Oshodi branch of the group has split into two factions.
One of the factional leaders, Kolawole Salami told ECHONEWS that Ali Sokoto founded the VGN and has Jahu Usman as his secretary and that just because of old age and for the fact that Sokoto is uneducated, some people encouraged Usman to claim the leadership position from Sokoto.
He also stated that the case was charged to court with evidence of real founder and ownership of the branch, adding that the court verdict subsequently declared Ali Sokoto the rightful founder and leader of the group.
However Salami has refused to recognise the other faction, saying he cannot operate based on faction to discharge his duty to community as regards government approval.
In his reaction, the Deputy Intelligent Officer who doubles as the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Rev. Tejumade Adeoye claimed Usman was one of those who fought for the VGN Bill to be passed at Federal level but Sokoto claimed the effort so as to become the first General Commander of VGN.
Adeoye however disregarded factions as he claimed that the body remains one and that fighting for leadership position is not a problem to them because they are intelligent, organised and disciplined body.
His words: “I don’t believe we have factions. VGN will always remain the one; those you see at the Oshodi council are just being stubborn because the state and national bodies have told us to integrate back as one.”
He pointed out that their major concern is to work with all law enforcement agents, the Police, Civil Defence, Airforce and others in checkmating insecurity in the community.
