Ogun Vigilante Arrests Over 180 Suspected Criminals in Four Months

The Ogun State Command of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) has arrested more than 180 suspected criminals, including thieves, ritualists, and fraudsters, across various local councils and villages between June and October 2025.

The State Commander of the group, Aare Shola Shodiyan, disclosed this during an interview at the VGN headquarters in Abeokuta. He said the suspects were apprehended for offences ranging from goat theft and vehicle snatching to armed robbery and cybercrime, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo.

“Between June and October, we arrested about 180 suspects, including ritualists and armed robbers. They were handed over to the police for proper investigation and prosecution,” Shodiyan said.

He explained that the VGN was established to support the police in curbing crime at the grassroots and maintaining community safety.

The commander commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for his consistent support of the group through the provision of operational vehicles, communication gadgets, motorcycles, and local arms. He urged other state governors to emulate Ogun’s model of grassroots security support.

“Governor Abiodun has been very supportive. Our men work closely with other security agencies, and we’ve received training and funding from the state government,” he added.

Shodiyan, however, called on community leaders and well-meaning individuals to assist in strengthening the group’s capacity, stressing that adequate funding and collaboration remain vital to sustaining the fight against crime in the state.