Kogi Assembly demands disbandment of Kupa vigilante groups after 12 killed

The Kogi State House of Assembly has called for the immediate dismantling of vigilante groups operating in the Kupa District of the Lokoja Local Government Area, following a violent clash that resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals and numerous injuries. During a motion of urgent public importance, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, detailed the sequence of events that triggered this crisis.

On August 6, a member of a hybrid vigilante group allegedly resisted a stop-and-search operation and opened fire, leading to a gunfight with another vigilante group. This confrontation resulted in the death of a Fulani vigilante member and sparked retaliatory attacks in several communities.

In the aftermath of the violence, three individuals were killed in Eguchidan, six in Emiku, and two in Abugi. The House Speaker also noted that Alhaji Gimba Aliyu, the Chief Imam of Kupa, was among the injured and is currently receiving medical treatment. Yusuf appealed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to immediately disband the vigilante structures in Kupa District and recover all firearms in their possession.

Additionally, he requested the deployment of forest guards in the region, preferably employing trusted locals familiar with the terrain to bolster security efforts.

The lawmakers praised the Nigerian Army and the police for their prompt response to the crisis and urged them to strengthen their operations by deploying more security personnel to the Abugi Divisional Police Office. They also emphasized the necessity of intensifying efforts to combat armed groups hiding in the forests and fostering better collaboration among security formations in the area.

Moreover, the Kogi Assembly demanded a thorough evaluation of the affected communities and swift action to prevent further attacks and restore peace in the Kupa District.