Restriction on Fulani vigilante groups in Nasarawa State

The Nasarawa State Government has taken a decisive step following an emergency security meeting chaired by Governor Abdullahi Sule on Monday. It has officially prohibited all ethnic vigilante groups that are currently operational within the state.

Individuals belonging to the affected ethnic vigilante groups have been given a directive by the state government to surrender their weapons and uniforms to the Commissioner of Police within a two-week timeframe.

Acting under the authority vested in him by Section 97A of the Penal Code, as well as other relevant laws, Governor Sule, upon the recommendation of the state security council, specifically outlawed the Fulani ethnic vigilante group named Kungiyar Zaman Lafiya, the Bassa Vigilante group, and the Eggon Vigilante Group.

An incident involving the inauguration of a 1,144-man Fulani vigilante group in the state by the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, resulted in his arrest in January 2024 by the military.

The arrest of Bodejo took place at the Miyetti Allah’s Head Office situated at Tundun Maliya Cattle Market, Kilometre 22, Abuja-Keffi Expressway, Tundun-Wada, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

In a move to reinforce this prohibition, via Executive Order No. 1 of 2024, the Governor issued a ban on any affiliation, organization, movement, or society linked to groups masquerading as ethnic vigilantes.

“These entities include any form of association, movement, or group operating under various names with the intention of providing security exclusively for specific ethnic groups within Nasarawa State through the utilization of force or arms, etc.

As stated in Executive Order No. 1 of 2024, “The Kungiyar Zaman Lafiya nomad Vigilante, Bassa Vigilante, Eggon Vigilante, and any similar organizations are now proscribed and deemed unlawful societies that are detrimental to good governance within the state.

The Nasarawa State Government has directed members of the Kungiwar Zaman Lafiya nomad Vigilante, Bassa Vigilante, Eggon Vigilante, and similar groups to surrender any weapons or arms in their possession along with their uniforms to the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State, within two weeks from the issuance date of this order,” as stated in the Executive Order No. 1 of 2024.