From Abubakar Suleiman
Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, the Fulani Socio-Cultural Association, has inaugurated a Nomad Vigilante group to supplement conventional security agencies, addressing the escalating security challenges in the country.
At the event in Lafia on Wednesday, Bello Bodejo, the National President of the association, emphasized the necessity of forming this group. The initial batch includes 1144 Fulani youths from various communities in Nasarawa State, spanning 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Bodejo revealed ongoing profiling for additional recruits, aiming to enlist up to 4000 youths to ensure comprehensive coverage of all Fulani communities.
The group pledges to aid in identifying and apprehending criminal elements within the Fulani community, handing them over to security agencies for necessary actions. Bodejo clarified that the vigilante's role is to complement conventional security agencies by focusing on intelligence gathering and surveillance to combat issues like kidnapping and banditry.
He assured cooperation with security agencies and adherence to legal provisions in executing their duties. Bodejo urged Nigerians to avoid ethnic profiling of criminals, emphasizing that criminal elements exist in every ethnic group.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Umar Nadada praised the initiative, stating its relevance given the prevailing security challenges in the state and the country. The CP expressed the police force's readiness to collaborate with groups dedicated to ensuring the security of lives and property.
Nadada emphasized the importance of the Nomad Vigilante informing security agencies promptly about any suspicious activities in their respective areas. He cautioned against taking the law into their own hands, urging cooperation with security agencies for effective state security.
The state police commissioner clarified that the Nomad Vigilante is not permitted to use firearms during operations. The inauguration was attended by representatives from the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
