Forum of Ethnic Youth Presidents in Nasarawa State has raised concerns over the recent inauguration of the Nomad Vigilante Group by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a Fulani socio-cultural organization.
The President of the Miyetti Allah, Abdullah Bodejo, inaugurated the 1,144-man Fulani vigilante team on January 17, 2024, saying the move was to tackle banditry, cattle rustling and other forms of crimes in the state.
However, about a week after the inauguration, security agents, believed to be soldiers and operatives of the Department of State Services, arrested Bodejo on January 23 and whisked him away to an unknown destination. On Tuesday, Feb. 6, the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Shehu Nadada, said the police were not carried along in the formation of the Miyetti Allah security outfit.
Subsequently, the Forum of Ethnic Youth Presidents, at a press conference held on Tuesday in Lafia, urged the Federal Government to outlaw the newly-formed Miyetti Allah security outfit.
Addressing journalists, the president of the forum, Silas Yileni, said, “We oppose the setting up of any suspicious security agency that is not community-based to avoid a situation where they could be used as militia. As such, we call for the immediate proscription of the Bodejo’s vigilante group in Nasarawa State and Nigeria at large.
“We oppose the arming of private security organisations in Nasarawa State, especially given the peculiar security challenges facing Nigeria.”
The Forum also demanded the immediate redeployment of all heads of conventional security agencies who attended the group’s inauguration in Lafia on January 17th, expressing concern over the perceived endorsement of the vigilante group by security officials.
Comrade Yileni further echoed the importance of equipping security agencies with the necessary resources and training to enhance intelligence gathering.
