Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has declared the activities of a group reportedly operating under the name Hisba in parts of Jos North Local Government Area illegal and ordered security agencies to immediately halt its operations.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Mr Mutfwang’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.
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The governor also directed the agencies to identify and investigate persons allegedly involved in the activities and prosecute those found culpable.
According to the statement, the directive followed reports that the group had allegedly been involved in intimidation, harassment, extortion and the imposition of unauthorised rules and restrictions on residents.
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Mr Mutfwang warned members of the group to desist from such activities or face arrest and prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law.
He said Plateau State operates under one constitution, one legal system and one legitimate authority, stressing that no individual or group had the power to assume governmental or law-enforcement responsibilities not conferred on it by law.
“Government will not permit the emergence of any parallel authority, self-appointed enforcement body or group seeking to impose rules, restrictions or sanctions on citizens,” the governor said.
He said the responsibility for enforcing the law rests with duly constituted authorities acting within the law.
The governor consequently directed security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and other lawful operations to establish the identity and activities of those involved.
The directive also covers anyone found to be promoting, sponsoring, aiding or abetting the reported activities.
Mr Mutfwang further directed the security agencies to protect residents from intimidation, harassment, extortion and other forms of unlawful coercion.
Reacting to the development, a former Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Dan Manjang, described the governor’s directive as “timely, necessary and commendable.”
Mr Manjang said the issue should not be viewed through the prism of religion, ethnicity or community, but as a matter of lawful authority, public order and the protection of citizens’ rights.
“In a constitutional democracy, no individual or group can arrogate to itself powers that belong exclusively to the duly constituted authorities of the State,” he said.
The former commissioner said allowing self-appointed groups to exercise powers reserved for government could undermine the authority of the state and create competing centres of power.
He urged security agencies to thoroughly investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable, while ensuring that innocent persons were not victimised.
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Mr Manjang also welcomed the governor’s clarification that the action was not directed against any religion, ethnic group or community.
He said residents of Plateau, irrespective of their faith or ethnic background, should be allowed to live and worship freely, provided their activities remain within the law.
“Plateau State must have one government, one legal framework and one authority recognised by law,” he said.
Mr Manjang urged residents to support the enforcement of the governor’s directive, saying the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law must remain non-negotiable.
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