Kupa Killings: Kogi Assembly Seeks Disbandment Of Hybrid Vigilante Groups

The Kogi State House of Assembly has condemned the recent killings in Kupa District of Lokoja Local Government Area, which claimed 12 lives and left several others injured.

The House also called for the immediate disbandment of hybrid vigilante groups comprising Fulani herders operating in the area and the recovery of arms in their possession.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, during plenary.

Yusuf said the killings followed a violent clash between the Kupa Community Vigilante Group and a hybrid vigilante group comprising Fulani herders, adding that the Chief Imam of Kupa, Alhaji Gimba Aliyu, and several others were receiving treatment for gunshot injuries.

He said the Kogi State Vigilante Service was established by the administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello, with legislative backing, to complement conventional security agencies in maintaining law and order.

According to him, Fulani herders were among those recruited into the service and deployed to communities, including Kupa, as part of efforts to promote inclusive security.

He, however, lamented that some groups had allegedly exceeded their mandate, resulting in rivalry and violent confrontations.

Yusuf said the latest crisis began in the early hours of Thursday, August 6, when armed Fulani men reportedly mobilised to Eguchidan, Kupa South, following an earlier confrontation between members of the Kupa Community Vigilante Group and the hybrid vigilante group at Abugi.

He said the confrontation allegedly started after a member of the hybrid group resisted a stop-and-search operation and opened fire on members of the community vigilante group.

According to him, the ensuing gun battle led to the death of the Fulani vigilante member, triggering an alleged reprisal attack.

He said three persons were killed in Eguchidan, six in Emiku and two in Abugi, in addition to the Fulani vigilante member, bringing the death toll to 12.

The Speaker commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his prompt intervention and the deployment of security personnel to the affected communities.

He, however, expressed concern that the incident was the third major violent episode recorded in Kupa, recalling the Ekpan-Abugi invasion of November 2014 and the Gugurugi massacre of January 2015.

Yusuf warned that continued animosity and alleged misuse of firearms could trigger further bloodshed.

He urged Governor Ododo to disband the existing vigilante structures in Kupa, recover their arms and deploy forest guards to the area.

He also called for the recruitment of mature, trusted and community-oriented indigenes familiar with the terrain as forest guards.

The House commended the Commander, 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Chari Megumeri Barracks, Lokoja, and the Kogi State Commissioner of Police for their swift response.

It further urged the Commissioner of Police to deploy additional personnel to the Abugi Divisional Police Office in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.

Seconding the motion, the member representing Mopa-Muro State Constituency, Hon. Olawumi Jacob, urged the state government to take decisive action against those responsible for the killings.

He said the activities of armed groups operating in the forests had become unacceptable and called for stronger measures to halt the violence.

The member representing Lokoja I State Constituency, Hon. Bin Ebaiya Shehu Tijjani, also condemned the incident and advocated closer collaboration among security agencies.

Similarly, the Chairman, House Committee on Security and member representing Igalamela-Odolu State Constituency, Major Enefola, described the killings as barbaric and unacceptable.

He called for an on-the-spot assessment of the affected communities by the committee and engagement with the warring parties to find a lasting solution.

Other lawmakers, including the member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency, Hon. Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibrin, and Hon. Aliyu Maikudi of Kogi-Koton Karfe State Constituency, backed the motion and demanded stronger measures to prevent further loss of lives.

The member representing Yagba West State Constituency, Hon. Idowu Ibikunle, alleged that some members of the hybrid Fulani vigilante groups were collaborating with kidnappers operating in the state.

Ruling on the matter, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Comfort Egwaba, who presided over the sitting, called for greater synergy among security agencies.

She commended Governor Ododo for his swift response to the Kupa crisis and other recent security challenges in the state, including the rescue of kidnapped victims along the Itobe-Anyigba Road.

Egwaba also commended the security agencies for their efforts in protecting lives and property across the state.