This Executive Summary details the rise in crime and insecurity, and the sense of low performance by the security forces in Nigeria, which has led to the expansion of vigilante groups at local and state level. These groups are carrying out law enforcement activities in an ever-growing number of states with the tacit, and sometimes explicit endorsement from the state governments, especially in the South-East of Nigeria. The Nigerian authorities are therefore responsible for what amounts to human rights violations committed by such groups during their law enforcement operations.
