In Nigeria’s fight against mounting insecurity, community vigilante groups have become indispensable allies in filling the security gaps left by overstretched law enforcement agencies. Despite their vital role in safeguarding local communities, these groups are increasingly under threat, often becoming the primary target in violent conflicts that are not of their making.
Recent data from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) brings this stark reality into sharp focus. In July 2025, vigilantes faced the highest toll of violence, with 97 fatalities recorded amidst a total of 375 deaths nationwide. While this marks a significant reduction of 45 percent from the previous month’s figures, it reflects a systemic vulnerability that jeopardizes the very foundation of Nigeria’s community-based defense system. As highlighted in the NHRC’s report, these deaths are not mere numbers but a warning sign of a deeper failure in security, accountability, and the justice system, issues that compromise the country’s collective peace.
The report’s breakdown paints a sobering picture of the violence affecting the country, identifying a wide range of victims, including 30 farmers, 11 children, and numerous deaths linked to gang violence, cultism, and religious conflicts. Kidnappings have also remained a constant threat, with 98 cases documented in July, often driven by organized crime syndicates.
During the unveiling of the report in Abuja on Tuesday , Senior Human Rights Adviser Hilary Ogbonna emphasized the role of cult groups and armed bandits in perpetuating these tragic statistics. He stated, “July marks the deadliest month for vigilante groups in Nigeria, with nearly 100 fatalities.”
This grim reality is compounded by broader security trends that reveal the persistent risks vigilantes face. While violent clashes between vigilante groups and criminal elements have spread across Nigeria, Katsina State remains a focal point for such violence. In one tragic incident in February 2023, a vigilante group in Bakori Local Government Area mobilized to recover stolen livestock only to be ambushed by bandits, resulting in 41 deaths. Another clash in February 2024 between a joint task force and bandits in Yar Tepa led to the deaths of prominent local security figures, including the Community Watch Commander for Kankara, Sanusi Hassan.
These events starkly highlight the escalating violence that vigilantes face while trying to protect their communities from increasingly well-equipped and organized criminal groups. The violence in Katsina underscores the urgent need for greater protection and support for local security forces, including vigilantes, who remain on the frontline of Nigeria’s security crisis.
Looking ahead, projections from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies suggest a troubling increase in violence for 2024, with an estimated 1,380 violent incidents and 3,980 fatalities expected across the continent. This alarming trend shows a return of militant violence, particularly from extremist groups, and a growing vulnerability of local defenders, like vigilantes, who are often caught in the crossfire of these violent confrontations.
The situation is compounded by reports from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, which suggests that vigilantes, while providing a necessary service in regions with little state presence, are contributing to a dangerous cycle of violence. The report identifies the extrajudicial killings committed by vigilantes as a contributing factor to the rise of banditry, creating a loop of vengeance-driven recruitment that fuels armed groups. Without formal oversight and regulation, vigilantes risk becoming part of the problem they aim to solve.
Despite their importance, these community defenders are underfunded, poorly coordinated with state forces, and left vulnerable to ambushes and targeted violence. Their lack of formal training and protection exposes them to heightened danger and exacerbates the challenges faced by local communities.
Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the NHRC, stressed the dangerous implications of these growing threats. “The decimation of vigilante groups spells a grave risk for our collective security and our freedoms. These are not isolated incidents but reflections of a systemic breakdown in security, justice, and accountability,” Ojukwu remarked.
International and local experts continue to point out that Nigeria’s increasing reliance on vigilantes has resulted from state failure to curb the rise in violence, but this dependence has led to new risks. Experts, including those from the Crisis Group, warn that while vigilantes can effectively gather intelligence and serve as community watchdogs, their increasing informal power and lack of accountability present serious concerns about their long-term role in Nigeria’s security system.
Recent reports reveal the staggering number of human rights complaints filed with the NHRC, with 331,035 complaints recorded in July 2025 alone. The northern regions, particularly the North-central, have seen the highest number of complaints, with issues ranging from violations of law enforcement and human dignity to serious concerns over women’s rights and sexual violence. These statistics emphasize the ongoing struggles faced by Nigeria’s vulnerable populations, particularly in areas where vigilante violence is prevalent.
Despite the stark challenges, there are rays of hope. On 16 August 2025, Nigerian authorities made significant strides in dismantling organized terrorist groups. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu announced the arrest of top Ansaru leaders Mahmud Muhammad Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri, a critical step in combating the Al-Qaeda-linked faction responsible for severe human rights violations across Nigeria. These arrests, applauded both domestically and internationally, mark a pivotal point in Nigeria’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
The NHRC continues to work tirelessly, conducting investigations, visiting correctional centres, and issuing summons on cases. Despite these efforts, human rights violations persist, with vigilantes remaining at the heart of these challenges, both as victims and perpetrators.
Given the ongoing crisis, experts argue for the urgent need to regulate vigilante groups, ensuring they are integrated into formal structures that provide adequate protection and oversight. The Brookings Institution emphasizes the need for a balanced approach, one that upholds the rights of these groups while safeguarding communities from the abuses that can result from unregulated security actions.
Looking forward, Nigeria’s security situation demands systemic reforms, greater state support for community security forces, and international collaboration. Only through these efforts can the country ensure that those who protect its citizens are themselves protected and supported.
