Worried by insecurity and crime gradually creeping into many communities in Jos, the Plateau State capital, a group of young women made up of Christians and Muslims have teamed up to form an all-female vigilante outfit to confront violence, theft, and drug-related crimes.
Leader of the group, Blessing Ngozi Emmanuel, who revealed the initiative in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, said the formation of the outfit stemmed from rising insecurity and its deepening impact on communities in the state capital once reputed to be the most safe location in the country.
Emmanuel stated that the new outfit has so far brought together women who are willing to sacrifice their comfort for the safety of their children and communities following what she described as repeated failures of government security promises.
According to her, the group was created as a grassroots effort to contribute to the safety and stability of their communities as well as complement the efforts of their men in providing support structures to security agencies.
“We have been able to help reduce thefts, taking of drugs and other vices,” Emmanuel said in the interview.
Findings reveal that the all-female vigilante team currently comprises about 20 women from both Muslim and Christian backgrounds, reflecting a rare show of unity across religious lines in a region often marked by tension.
They conduct nightly patrols between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., focusing on areas they consider most vulnerable to crime but according to Emmanuel, their work has not come without risks as some members have reportedly been injured during operations, while others have received threats.
“One of our members was warned by hoodlums that she could be made to disappear if she continued her involvement,” she said, but stressed that despite the dangers, the women have insisted that their mission is strictly to support community security, not to replace formal law enforcement.
She also expressed frustration over the lack of official recognition or support, noting that it was only weeks ago that local government officials visited them, despite months of active operations.
Plateau women form vigilante group, patrol streets at night to combat crime
