Niger State Government has banned the use of dangerous weapons by any group engaged for security services such as the Yadaba, among others.
The government also gave legal backing to the activities of vigilance groups engaged by the state in the 25 local government areas.
Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu disclosed this at the passing out parade of about 300 members of vigilance group in Chanchaga Local Government.
Aliyu said henceforth any group or person caught with dangerous weapons would not only be arrested, but would be punished in line with the law.
The governor also said that members of the council vigilance group were not permitted to bear arms and had no constitutional power to detain anyone arrested.
He said: "The vigilance groups set up in the 25 council areas are not a replacement for the police neither will they take over the job of men of the State Security Service, SSS and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
"Government decided to legalise the existence of the vigilance groups to complement intelligencegathering by the regular security outfits. This is because they are closer to the people at the grassroots."
Aliyu said members of the vigilance groups could be deployed to schools and other public organisations in the state, noting that they could also be useful during the conduct of census.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Chanchaga Local Government, Alhaji Mohammed Salau, said a byelaw passed by the council had banned all forms of illegal dressing and carrying of dangerous weapons and animals around the local government.
He said: "All forms of illegal assembly have been banned in the local government area and anyone who violates the law will be deemed to have committed an offence and will be prosecuted."
National Mirror