The Nasarawa state government has issued a decree to disband all ethnic vigilante groups operating across the 13 local government areas of the state.
All affected ethnic vigilante groups have been given a two-week ultimatum to surrender their uniforms and weapons to the state Commissioner of Police, Shehu Nadada. Governor Abdullahi Sule invoked his authority under Section 97A of the Penal Code and other relevant laws to proscribe these groups and any affiliated associations, movements, organizations, or societies.
In Executive Order No. 1 of 2024, the Governor stated, “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.” Consequently, entities such as the Kungiyar Zaman Lafiya nomad Vigilante, Bassa Vigilante, Eggon Vigilante, and others of similar nature are declared unlawful societies detrimental to good governance in the state.
