Senate summons NSA, Malami over Kogi’s armed vigilante group

The Senate has summoned the National Security Adviser, Gen.
Babagana Monguno (retd.); and the Minister of Justice and Attorney
General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), over a vigilante
group recently created by the Kogi State Government.

The Senate specifically asked its committees on National
Security and Intelligence, and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal
Matters to invite the officials “with a view to disbanding this
unconstitutional body.”

Lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator
Dino Melaye, at the plenary on Wednesday, had moved a motion
seeking the intervention of the Senate on the legalisation of an
armed ‘Vigilante Service Group’ in Kogi, alleging that it was an
attempt to introduce state police “through the back door.”

Melaye, who read from a copy of the law establishing the group,
emphasised Section 15 of the law which empowers the group to carry
“dane guns, hunter’s gun and other light weapons” that are
commensurate with their duties and responsibilities.

According to him, it was similar to how ‘Maitasine’ started in
Kano which was not contained and became damaging.

“This is how Boko Haram started. This is how Sarasuka started.
The Senate will not fold its arms and close its eyes, where a state
government is equipping militia groups to wreck havoc on innocent
citizens.

“This group is already killing in every part of Kogi State,”
Melaye alleged.

He stated that the establishment of the VSG in Kogi was in
conflict with the Constitution.

He alleged that the functions of the group was in conflict with
those of the Nigeria Police Force as stipulated in Section 214 of
the Constitution.

The Senate has summoned the National Security Adviser, Gen.
Babagana Monguno (retd.); and the Minister of Justice and Attorney
General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), over a vigilante
group recently created by the Kogi State Government.

The Senate specifically asked its committees on National
Security and Intelligence, and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal
Matters to invite the officials “with a view to disbanding this
unconstitutional body.”

Lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator
Dino Melaye, at the plenary on Wednesday, had moved a motion
seeking the intervention of the Senate on the legalisation of an
armed ‘Vigilante Service Group’ in Kogi, alleging that it was an
attempt to introduce state police “through the back door.”

Melaye, who read from a copy of the law establishing the group,
emphasised Section 15 of the law which empowers the group to carry
“dane guns, hunter’s gun and other light weapons” that are
commensurate with their duties and responsibilities.

According to him, it was similar to how ‘Maitasine’ started in
Kano which was not contained and became damaging.

“This is how Boko Haram started. This is how Sarasuka started.
The Senate will not fold its arms and close its eyes, where a state
government is equipping militia groups to wreck havoc on innocent
citizens.

“This group is already killing in every part of Kogi State,”
Melaye alleged.

He stated that the establishment of the VSG in Kogi was in
conflict with the Constitution.

He alleged that the functions of the group was in conflict with
those of the Nigeria Police Force as stipulated in Section 214 of
the Constitution.