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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Bassa community in Toto Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, is demanding a retraction from Governor Abdullahi Sule for labelling them a militia group.
Mark Jere, Vice Chairman of the Bassa Cultural and Development Union, spoke to journalists in Abuja. He emphasised that the Bassa people have been victims of attacks by the Egbura, a neighbouring village, which forced them into exile for six years. Jere argued that this history makes the militia label “uncharitable.”
Jere further highlighted the challenges faced by the displaced Bassas in returning home. He expressed concern that the military appears to be siding with the Egbura people.
A specific instance Jere cited was Governor Sule’s statement during a state security meeting on April 15, 2024, where he unequivocally accused the Bassas of having a militia group. Jere finds this claim “quite strange” as there is no such group according to the Bassa community.
Jere also questioned the logic behind the newly enacted “Penal Code (Proscription of Kungiyar Zaman Lafiya nomad Vigilante, Bassa Vigilante, Eggon Vigilante and other similar Organisation) Executive Order No.1, 2024.” He argued, “Our curiosity on this Executive Order is: how could the Bassa who have been in forced exile for precisely six (6) years now, form a Bassa Vigilante group?”
The Bassa community representative proposed several measures to promote peace and facilitate their return. These included ensuring the immediate return of displaced Bassas and others, rebuilding destroyed Bassa homes, and stopping the appointment of Egbura kinsmen as chiefs in Bassa-dominated areas. Additionally, Jere called for adequate compensation and relief materials to be provided to affected Bassas.
Jere urged for the disbanding of all vigilante groups in Toto LGA and allowing for Bassa inclusion upon their return. He also emphasised the importance of granting meaningful political appointments to Bassa people and lifting the alleged employment embargo on Bassas at the local and state government levels. Finally, Jere concluded by urging Governor Sule to revise the Penal Code to exclude the non-existent Bassa vigilante group and to end what the Bassas perceive as an “extension of Egbura hegemony.”
