| Country: | Nigeria |
| Details of Formation: | The group was set up in September 2000 to help the police combat crime. In 2001 the group received legal backing from the Edo State House of Assembly and in 2002 additional local government council committees of neighborhood watch were set up. |
| Details of Termination: | -- |
| Purpose: | The militia was created as a neighborhood watch that combated crime, in joint operations with the police. According to the governor of Edo state, the militia’s presence has helped to reduce the crime rate in the state. Furthermore, the state government used the group to target political opposition, ahead of the 2003 elections. |
| Organisation: | In 2001, the Edo State Assembly passed a bill to set up the vigilante group, although there are already reports of its existence in 2000. In 2002, a local council committee was set up to monitor the militia. (Amnesty 2002, 5) |
| Weapons and Training: | No information. |
| Size: | No information. |
| Reason for Membership: | No information. |
| Treatment of Civilians: | The militia has killed and attacked civilians under the pretext of fighting criminals. |
| Other Information: | A bill passed in December 2001 made this group constitutionally official. Also knowns as "Edo Peoples Congress". |
| References: |
Amnesty International. 2002. “Nigeria: Vigilante violence in the south and south-east”. AI Index: AFR 44/014/2002. Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD. |