The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Bola Tinubu to disband the recently launched Nomad Volunteer Vigilante Group in Nasarawa State. HURIWA argues that this vigilante group, established by Miyetti Allah, is an attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigeria Police Force, which is the only legally recognized policing institution in the country according to the Nigerian Constitution.
HURIWA also criticizes the presence of military commanders and top police officers at the inauguration of the vigilantes, stating that it is unconstitutional and reminiscent of President Muhammadu Buhari’s response to a similar volunteer vigilante group formed by the Indigenous peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
The Nomad Volunteer Vigilante Group, consisting of 1,144 carefully selected volunteers, was launched by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Sociocultural Association.
The rights organization expressed its concerns about the vigilante group, suspecting that they may be armed and dangerous.
The group stated that their main objective is to address various security challenges, such as banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling, in Nasarawa State.
Abdullahi Bodejo, the national president of the association, emphasized that the volunteer vigilantes would operate within the boundaries of the country’s existing laws. During the inauguration ceremony in Lafia, Bodejo urged the vigilantes to collaborate with the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to ensure a comprehensive approach to security across the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa State.
HURIWA, on the other hand, criticized the establishment of the vigilante group by herders, stating that it is illegal and unconstitutional.
They pointed out the double standards displayed by the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the federal government for supporting the establishment of an illegal ethnic army that allegedly promotes the Fulani agenda nationwide.
HURIWA also highlighted the government’s forceful response to a similar vigilante group set up by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra in the Igbo-speaking South East, resulting in the loss of innocent lives.
