Following the emergency security meeting convened by Governor Abdullahi Sule, the government of Nasarawa on Tuesday proscribed all ethnic vigilante groups operating across the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State.
Similarly, the State government has equally given two-week ultimatum to all ethnic vigilante groups affected by the ban to hand over their uniforms and weapons to the State Commissioner of Police, Shehu Nadada.
In Banning the ethnic militias, 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.
Part of the Executive Order No 1 of 2024 reads: “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.”
President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, had on January 17, 2024, inaugurated the 1,144-man Fulani ethnic militia group, Kungiya Zaman Lafiya.During the inauguration in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Bodejo urged the volunteer vigilantes to work in collaboration with the Police, Army, and other security agencies to ensure a more comprehensive approach to security across the 13 local councils of Nasarawa.
The Miyetti Allah leader was arrested by operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) on January 23, 2024, at the group’s office in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State for allegedly unveiling a militia group.
Bodejo, who is currently facing terrorism charges over the launch of the militia group.
