By Evelyn Usman

LAGOS—The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Cornelius Aderanti, has described the Community  Youth Vanguard,CYV, as an illegal group,  threatening to sanction any member of the group who indulges in any  act of lawlessness.

The Community Vanguard , a vigilante group in Festac Town,  has been in the news following alleged harassment and victimisation of residents. The group was also alleged to have clashed with other community based vigilante groups in the area, where scores were reportedly injured.

The recent report on the group was its alleged invasion of the  Amuwo Odofin Local Government.
However, members of the group have described the allegations against them as false, stating that it was orchestrated by some politicians in Festac Town.

In an apparent move to avoid future fracas, the command boss  in a statement made available to Vanguard, announced the proscription of the Community Youth Vanguard.
According to the statement  by the command’s spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, “ The CP has formally announced the proscription of the Community Youth Vanguard, an association formed in Festac Town. This  followed various complaints from members of the public against activities of the association.  Such association is illegal. Members of the group are  urged to desist from their illegal activities which have caused public disturbances in the past.

“Members of this proscribed association are by this  announcement warned to be law abiding as any act of lawlessness will meet with commensurate action”, the statement read.