Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kogi State House of Assembly has issued a firm and urgent demand for the immediate disbandment of hybrid vigilante groups operating in Kupa District of Lokoja Local Government Area, following a violent clash that left at least 12 people dead and several others injured, including the Chief Imam of Kupa. The Assembly also called on the National Security Adviser to urgently disband the hybrid vigilante groups comprising Fulani herders operating in the area and ensure the recovery of firearms in their possession.
The demand followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Speaker of the Assembly and member representing Lokoja I State Constituency, Aliyu Yusuf, during plenary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Yusuf said the killings resulted from a violent clash between the Kupa Community Vigilante Group and a hybrid vigilante group comprising Fulani herders, adding that the incident had claimed 12 lives, while several others, including the Chief Imam of Kupa, Alhaji Gimba Aliyu, were receiving treatment at various health facilities for gunshot injuries.
According to the Speaker, the crisis erupted in the early hours of Thursday, August 6, 2026, following reports of armed Fulani men in Eguchidan, Kupa South. He said the confrontation began around Abugi, the headquarters of Kupa Kingdom, after a member of the hybrid vigilante group allegedly resisted a stop-and-search order by members of the Kupa Community Vigilante Group and subsequently opened fire on them. The ensuing gun battle resulted in injuries that led to the death of the Fulani vigilante member, after which armed men reportedly mobilised to Eguchidan in an alleged reprisal attack.
The Speaker detailed the toll of the violence, stating that three persons were killed in Eguchidan, six in Emiku and two in Abugi, in addition to the Fulani vigilante member, bringing the total number of fatalities to 12. He expressed concern that the latest 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, which, he said, had devastating effects on the socio-economic lives of residents.
Yusuf noted that the Kogi State Vigilante Service was established by the administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello, with the legislative backing of the Assembly, to complement conventional security agencies in maintaining law and order and tackling emerging security challenges. He explained that members of various communities, including Fulani herders, were recruited into the vigilante service and deployed to different locations, including Kupa, as part of efforts to promote inclusive security and strengthen crime prevention. However, he lamented that rather than collaborating to fight crime, the groups had assumed powers beyond their mandate, resulting in unhealthy rivalry within the vigilante service in the area. “The supposed hunters of criminals have now become the hunted,” Yusuf declared.
The Speaker commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his prompt response to the crisis, noting that the governor immediately directed the deployment of personnel from various security agencies to the affected communities to restore peace and order. He warned that failure to address the growing animosity and alleged misuse of firearms could trigger more devastating violence in the area. Yusuf urged Governor Ododo to urgently disband the existing vigilante structures in Kupa, recover all arms in their possession and deploy recruited forest guards to the area to strengthen security. 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 to the crisis. 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. The lawmakers also called for a comprehensive assessment of the affected communities and urgent measures to prevent further attacks and restore peace in Kupa District.
The motion was seconded by the member representing Mopa-Muro State Constituency, Hon. Olawumi Jacob, and supported by other lawmakers, including Major Enefola (APC-Igalamela/Odolu) and Jibril Abu (APC-Ajsokuta). The Assembly also appealed to the National Security Adviser to disband the hybrid Fulani vigilante group operating in Lokoja LGA. As the people of Kupa District mourn their dead and tend to their wounded, the Assembly's demand for disbandment represents a critical step towards restoring order and preventing further bloodshed in a community that has endured repeated cycles of violence.
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