Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has declared the activities of any group operating under the guise of Hisbah illegal in the state.
Mutfwang made the declaration in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Gyang Bere, on Sunday in Jos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a group recently emerged in Jos North Local Government Area, allegedly carrying out activities in the name of Hisbah.
Hisbah organizations operate legally in some northern states, including Kano, Katsina and Sokoto, with varying degrees of government recognition.
Mutfwang, however, warned that Plateau would not allow any group to operate as a parallel security or enforcement agency without lawful authorization.
He cautioned members of the group against harassing or extorting residents and imposing unlawful rules, warning that anyone found to be in violation of the law would face prosecution.
The 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.
“No individual or group has the authority to appoint itself the government of Plateau,” he said.
The governor stressed that only constituted authorities operating within Nigeria’s legal framework had the mandate to enforce laws in the state.
He directed security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and lawful operations to identify individuals involved in the reported activities.
Mutfwang also ordered the agencies to protect residents from intimidation, harassment, extortion and other forms of unlawful coercion.
The governor stressed that the directive was not targeted at any religion, ethnic group or community, describing Plateau as a state with a diverse population.
“Plateau remains home to people of diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds. Every Plateau resident is entitled to equal protection under the law,” he said.
He maintained that the issue concerned lawful conduct and legitimate authority, rather than religious or ethnic identity.
Mutfwang said every resident had the right to live, worship, work and conduct lawful businesses without interference from self-appointed authorities.
He directed security agencies to identify and investigate those involved in the reported activities and prosecute anyone found culpable.
The governor further ordered the arrest and prosecution of anyone found promoting, sponsoring, aiding or abetting the unlawful activities
