Kogi Assembly condemns Kupa District killings, seeks disbandment of vigilante groups

The Assembly called on the National Security Adviser to disband hybrid vigilante groups, including Fulani herders, operating in the area and recover their arms. This call followed a motion by Speaker Aliyu Yusuf, who stated that the violence stemmed from a clash between the Kupa Community Vigilante Group and a hybrid vigilante group. The incident led to 12 fatalities, including the Chief Imam of Kupa, Alhaji Gimba Aliyu, who is receiving treatment for gunshot injuries.

Yusuf explained that the Kogi State Vigilante Service was established to complement conventional security agencies, with members from various communities, including Fulani herders, recruited into it. However, he noted that these groups have exceeded their mandate, leading to rivalry. The Speaker detailed that the confrontation began when a member of the hybrid vigilante group allegedly resisted a stop-and-search by the Kupa Community Vigilante Group, leading to a gun battle and the death of a Fulani vigilante member.

Subsequent reprisal attacks reportedly resulted in deaths in Eguchidan, Emiku, and Abugi. Yusuf commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo's swift response in deploying security personnel and urged the Governor to disband existing vigilante structures in Kupa, recover arms, and deploy recruited forest guards. Other members, including Olawumi Jacob