An urgent security council meeting was convened by Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State to urgently tackle the surge in kidnappings and other security issues across the state.
Hosted at the Government House on Monday, the meeting was prompted by escalating security risks, including kidnappings and ethnic militia activities in regions like Keffi, Doma, Lafia, Awe, Obi, Keana, Karu, and Nasarawa Local Government Areas.
Governor Sule, in his opening statements, expressed worry over the growing incidents of kidnappings and militia actions, highlighting occurrences in villages near Shegye, Katakpa, and surrounding areas within Toto Local Government Area.
The governor also discussed community conflicts, citing a recent incident in the Udege area where a person lost their life due to intra-ethnic disputes.
Concerning recent engagements with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in Lagos and security leadership in Abuja, the need for the emergency meeting was emphasized by Governor Sule to address the Bassa militia group’s activities, operating under the guise of the Bassa Vigilante Group.
The governor revealed plans to prohibit all singular ethnic group vigilante organizations in the state, including the long-active Fulani Vigilante Group since 2009.
He announced a grace period for members of these groups to integrate into existing community vigilante units.
“Today’s discussions will revolve around considering the disbandment of any singular ethnic group vigilante operating within the state. Those establishing such groups will face a ban. The goal is to foster peace within the state by dismantling units like the Bassa vigilante group and ensuring compliance with state policies and regulations,” Sule explained.
Governor Sule praised his deputy, Emmanuel Akabe, for overseeing affairs in his absence during the Lesser Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. He extended gratitude to all who supported his deputy, including traditional rulers and security bodies.
The governor also acknowledged the security forces’ efforts in addressing security hurdles in the state, particularly in managing recent tensions between farmers and pastoralists like the clash between the Eggon and Tiv communities in Kadarko resulting in five fatalities.
“We are also attentive to recent farmers’ and herders’ conflicts, notably the Eggon and Tiv community clash in Kadarko that led to five fatalities. This will also be on our agenda today as we explore paths to resolution,” he stated.