The Nasarawa government has proscribed ethnic vigilance groups in the state based on an Executive Order signed by Governor Abdullahi Sule on Tuesday in Lafia.

He said the order was an exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 97A of the Penal Code and acting on the advice of the State Security Council.

“The Nomad Vigilante and other ethnic vigilante groups are hereby proscribed and declared unlawful societies dangerous to the good governance of the state.

“The order may be cited as the Penal Code and Proscription of Nomad Vigilante and other similar Organizations Order, 2024 and shall be deemed to have come into operation on April 15, 2024,” he said.

Similar organisations, he said, included any association, movement, group of persons, or society in whatever name or form, “with the aim and objectives of providing security amongst particular ethnic groups within Nasarawa through the use of force or arms, etc.”

“Accordingly, the Kungiyar Zaman Lafiya nomad vigilante, Bassa vigilante, Eggon vigilante and other similar organisations are henceforth proscribed and declared unlawful societies that are inimical to good governance in the state,” the governor added.

The governor directed that members of the Kungiwar Zaman Lafiya nomad Vigilante, Bassa Vigilante, Eggon Vigilante, and other similar organisations should hand over all weapons or arms in their possession, along with uniforms, to the commissioner of police Nasarawa within two weeks from the date of the order’s issuance. 

“Non-compliance with this directive will be met with the full force of the law,” he warned.

(NAN)