Actress Clarion Chukwurah Calls for Support for Vigilante Groups

Nigerian actress Clarion Chukwurah has asked President Bola Tinubu to focus on strengthening vigilante groups instead of pushing for state police as a solution to the country's rising insecurity.

In a letter shared on her Instagram page on Wednesday, the actress said that state policing is not the answer to the security problems affecting Nigeria.

She urged Mr Tinubu and his team to use part of the N500bn deducted from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue for May 2026 to set up a national security emergency fund. This fund would help support community self-defense efforts.

The Punch newspaper reported on June 19 that the federal government made this deduction before sharing that month’s funds among the FG, states, and local government councils.

Chukwurah, who is 61, stated: "Mr President, please, direct the use of a part of the billions of the national security emergency intervention fund to support community self-defense through vigilantes who are given the capacity to bear arms and protect their communities."

She expressed her disgust at the rise of kidnapping in Nigeria. "We know that only cowards kidnap children for money, and keep a two-year-old child in captivity in the forest to endure rainfall, poor nutrition, heat, and mosquitoes. Kidnapping has thrived in Nigeria because the kidnappers, neighbourhood informants, and complicit police officers know that the victims are powerless and helpless."

The actress from Anambra also urged Mr Tinubu to finance vigilante groups so they can help schools hire armed security personnel to keep children and teachers safe.

She said that having this immediate defense in communities is important before bringing in state police. This would show that the President cares about the people's safety.

Chukwurah, who studied Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), praised Mr Tinubu for risking his freedom to stand up for democracy during Nigeria's military rule.

She also acknowledged the President's push for state police to tackle insecurity across the country. "Sir, we know the process that will lead to its actual full-scale operations in every state will take at least one to two years, especially in extending its operations into the villages in the rural states where the activities of kidnappers are overwhelming and require an immediate, urgent solution."

The actress pointed out that Mr Tinubu's government faces many challenges, including internal political pressure, outside political interference, and issues around corruption and ineffective strategies against poverty. She believes these issues contribute to the rise in crime in Nigeria.

Chukwurah explained that insecurity is blocking any real progress in the country. She also linked the ongoing economic crisis to the poverty affecting millions of Nigerians.

"Sir, the average Nigerian living in poverty does not believe that you are the enemy or understand that there are challenges your government has to face."

She made this plea because she believes that without addressing insecurity and poverty, there can be no meaningful progress in Nigeria, regardless of the government's good intentions.

Chukwurah's appeal to Mr Tinubu comes as opposition politicians are increasingly calling for a delay in the State Police Bill until after the 2027 general elections. PREMIUM TIMES reported that one of those calling for a pause is Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).