VGN Disowns Two Men Over Alleged Impersonation, Extortion In Taraba

The Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Taraba State Command, has disowned Iliyasu Mustapha and John J. Kassa, saying they are neither leaders, officers nor members of the organisation.

The command, in a disclaimer signed by its Acting State Public Relations Officer, ACV Suleiman Aliyu, said the two men had allegedly been visiting VGN offices across the state claiming that the organisation had two factions which had recently reconciled.

VGN Taraba State Command, State Commander ACG Bello U. Arabi said the command described the claim as false, insisting that there is no faction within the VGN at either the national or state level.

According to the statement, Mustapha and Kassa, alongside their associates, had been restrained from claiming leadership or membership of the organisation by what it described as several subsisting court judgments.

The VGN said Usman Muhammad Jahun, PhD, FSI, remains the legally recognised Commander-General of the organisation at the national level, while ACG Bello U. Arabi, LLB (Hons), remains the State Commander of the VGN in Taraba.

The command further alleged that the purported reconciliation narrative was being used as a means of soliciting or collecting money from unsuspecting VGN members and members of the public.

It therefore urged VGN members, security agencies and members of the public to disregard representations allegedly made by Mustapha, Kassa or their agents concerning the leadership or activities of the organisation.

The command also directed its officers and members in Taraba to remain vigilant and report any activities, solicitation or movements involving the two men or their alleged associates to the nearest police station or the VGN State Headquarters along T.H.U., Hammaruwa Way, Jalingo.