Nasarawa Community Denies Owning Militia Group

The Bassa Cultural and Development Union (BCDU) of Nasarawa State has vehemently denied allegations of having militia or vigilante groups in Toto local government area.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, the vice chairman of the BCDU, Mr Mark Jere, said this clarification becomes necessary owing to the fact that all efforts to press for their home return through the Nasarawa State government failed.

The community further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene as they have been in forced exile for six years.

Jere expressed dismay at the Nasarawa State government’s recent mention of a Bassa militia during a security meeting, stating that no such group exists.

The community clarified that recent clashes were reprisal attacks and emphasized non-existence of vigilante groups in their community.

He stated in clear terms that the Bassa community has nothing like “Bassa militia’’ or “Bassa vigilante” group anywhere in the state or outside the state.

He said the governor was misinformed by some of his aides in his move towards a peaceful approach to resolve the conflict between the Egburas and Bassas.

Jere stressed that to put things in perspective, a wave of attacks was recently launched by yet-to-be-identified individuals on Katakpa and Shegye village areas.

“We, therefore, want to reiterate in unambiguous terms that the Bassa community of Toto LGA does not have any known and existing vigilante groups,” he said.

He stated that it was the Angbara village attack by the Egbura hoodlums that snowballed into the present clashes in Katakpa and Shegye villages.

He asked the government to ensure immediate home return of the displaced Bassa people and other displaced persons; a step already taken by the government.

Jere said the government should ensure the rebuilding of the destroyed Bassa homes in both Toto and Nasarawa LGAs.

He said the government should ensure adequate compensation and release of relief materials to the displaced and affected Bassa people.