Gov. Sule bans ethnic vigilante groups in Nasarawa
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has convened an emergency security meeting and banned all ethnic vigilante groups operating across the 13 local government areas of the state.
Similarly, the state government issued a two-week ultimatum to all ethnic vigilante groups affected by the order to hand over their uniforms and weapons to the state Commissioner of Police, Shehu Nadada.
The governor cited the powers vested on him via Section 97A of the Penal Code as well as other relevant laws.
Through an Executive Order No. 1 of 2024, signed by the Governor and issued on Tuesday, the Nasarawa State Government also banned any other association, movement, organization or society affiliated with the group operating under the guise of ethnic vigilante.
The governor directed that, “Similar organisations including any association, movement or group of persons or society in whatever name called or form, with the aim and objectives of providing security amongst particular ethnic groups within Nasarawa State through the use of force or arms etc,” part of the Executive Order No. 1 of 2024 reads.
“Accordingly, the Kungiyar Zaman Lafiya nomad Vigilante, Bassa Vigilante, Eggon Vigilante and other similar organisations are henceforth proscribed and declared unlawful societies that are inimical to good governance in the state.”
Daily Trust reports that Bello Bodejo, the detained President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, had denied linking Nasarawa Governor to his saga with security agencies.
However, the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani, a Socio-Cultural Association, had recently launched A 1,144-man Vigilante Group to fight against the menace of banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling across the state.