Insecurity: Nasarawa Proscribes Ethnic Vigilante Groups

By Ayodele Oni

Nasarawa State Government has proscribed all ethnic vigilante groups operating in the state.

This is one of the outcome of an emergency security meeting convened by Governor Abdullahi Sule.

Governor Sule, acting on the advice of the state security council, specifically banned the Fulani ethnic vigilante groups known as the Kungiyar Zaman Lafiya, Bassa Vigilante group, as well as the Eggon Vigilante Group.

The state government has equally directed ethnic vigilante groups affected by the order to handover their uniforms and weapons to the state Commissioner of Police within two weeks.

The governor based his action on powers vested in him via Section 97A of the Penal Code, as well as other relevant laws vested on him.

“Through an Executive Order No. 1 of 2024, signed by the Governor, the Nasarawa State Government also banned any other association, movement, organization or society affiliated with the group operating under the guise of ethnic vigilante.

“Similar Organizations includes 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.

“Accordingly, the Kungiyar Zaman Lafiya nomad Vigilante, Bassa Vigilante, Eggon Vigilante and other similar organizations are henceforth proscribed and declared unlawful societies that are inimical to good governance in the state.

“The State Government therefore directed that members of the Kungiwar Zaman Lafiya nomad Vigilante, Bassa Vigilante, Eggon Vigilante and other similar organizations, to handover all weapons or arms in their possession along with uniforms to the Commissioner of Police Nasarawa State within two weeks from the date of issuance of the order.”