The Nasarawa state government has banned the activities of all ethnic vigilante groups operating across the 13 local government areas of the state.
According to reports, the ban was followed by the emergency security meeting convened by State Governor Abdullahi Sule while issuing 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, through Executive Order No. 1 of 2024, also banned any other association, movement, organisation, or society affiliated with the group operating under the guise of ethnic vigilante.
The governor cited the powers vested in him via Section 97A of the Penal Code as well as other relevant laws.
His words, “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,” part of the Executive Order No. 1 of 2024 reads.
“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.”