Following an emergency security meeting called by Governor Abdullahi Sule, the government of Nasarawa has taken decisive action by banning all ethnic vigilante groups operating in the state’s 13 local government areas. In a move to maintain peace and security, the state government has given a two-week ultimatum for these groups to surrender their uniforms and weapons to the Commissioner of Police, Shehu Nadada.
Governor Sule invoked his authority under Section 97A of the Penal Code and other relevant laws to issue Executive Order No. 1 of 2024, which prohibits any association, movement, organization, or society affiliated with ethnic vigilante groups. The order aims to prevent the use of force or arms by groups claiming to provide security within specific ethnic communities in Nasarawa State.
The Executive Order specifically targets organizations such as the Kungiyar Zaman Lafiya nomad Vigilante, Bassa Vigilante, Eggon Vigilante, and others deemed similar, declaring them unlawful societies that undermine good governance in the state. Bello Bodejo, the detained President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has denied implicating the Nasarawa Governor in his dealings with security agencies.
In response to the escalating security challenges, the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani, a Socio-Cultural Association, recently launched a 1,144-man Vigilante Group to combat banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling in Nasarawa. However, the government’s crackdown on ethnic vigilante groups signals a shift towards centralized security measures to address the growing threats in the state.
