…Condemn Nomad Vigilante Group formation
…demand redeployment of Commissioner of Police
From Abel Leonard, Lafia
In a unified voice, ethnic nationalities in Nasarawa State, represented by the Forum of Ethnic Youth Presidents, have demanded a significant overhaul in the state’s security apparatus.
During a press conference held on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, in Lafia, they voiced grave concerns over escalating crises and land disputes, particularly in rural areas, leading to loss of lives and property.
The group, led by its spokesperson, Comrade Lauda Yeleini highlighted the urgent need for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, CP Umar Shehu Nadada, alongside other security heads who attended the inauguration of the Nomad Vigilante Group in January 2024.
They alleged that the presence of security officials at the event lent legitimacy to a group they deemed detrimental to the state’s peace and stability.
Expressing vehement opposition, the group condemned the formation of the Nomad Vigilante Group and called for the immediate incarceration of its convener, President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo.
They stressed that the activities of the group posed a grave threat to communal harmony and security, particularly citing instances of land grabbing and violent confrontations in rural areas.
The forum underscored the plight of displaced villagers who, upon attempting to return to their homes, faced either violent reprisals or found their lands occupied by new settlers, predominantly of Fulani extraction. “This disturbing trend, must be addressed swiftly to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of all citizens.”
In a direct appeal to the state government, the group urged Governor
Abdullahi Sule to take decisive action to curb the escalating tensions and initiate a thorough investigation into the security lapses within Nasarawa State.
They called for the establishment of a commission of inquiry to meticulously examine the root causes of the crisis and propose effective measures to restore peace and security across the state.
Sun gathered that tensions continued to mount and communities grapple with the specter of violence, the call for urgent intervention reverberates throughout Nasarawa State, echoing the collective plea for a safer and more secure future.