Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has ordered an immediate halt to the activities of a group reportedly operating under the name HISBA in parts of Jos North Local Government Area, declaring its operations illegal, unauthorised and unacceptable.
The governor’s directive followed reports alleging that members of the group have been intimidating, harassing and extorting residents, while also imposing unauthorised rules and restrictions on citizens.
Mutfwang warned those involved to immediately desist from such activities or risk arrest and prosecution under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The governor stressed that Plateau State has one Constitution, one legal system and one legitimate authority, insisting that no individual or group has the right to assume powers not conferred on it by law.
He said his administration would not tolerate the emergence of any parallel authority, self-appointed enforcement body or group attempting to impose rules, restrictions or sanctions on residents outside Nigeria’s established legal framework.
“No individual or group has the authority to appoint itself the government of Plateau State. The responsibility for enforcing the law belongs to duly constituted authorities acting within the law.”
Mutfwang consequently directed security agencies in the state to identify and investigate those behind the reported activities and, where sufficient evidence of wrongdoing is established, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators, The News Chronicle reports.
He further ordered security agencies to investigate anyone found to be promoting, sponsoring, aiding or abetting the alleged unlawful activities.
The governor also directed the agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and other lawful operations to establish the identities and activities of those involved and protect residents from intimidation, harassment, extortion and other forms of unlawful coercion.
Mutfwang clarified that the directive was not targeted at any religion, ethnic group or community, stressing that Plateau remains home to people of diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds who are entitled to equal protection under the law.
According to him, the government’s concern is strictly about lawful conduct and legitimate authority, noting that every resident has the right to live, worship, work, conduct lawful businesses and carry out daily activities without intimidation or interference from any self-appointed authority.
The governor commended members of the public who alerted the authorities to the alleged activities and assured residents that his administration would continue to treat credible security concerns with utmost seriousness.
He reaffirmed that protecting the lives, rights, dignity and lawful freedoms of Plateau residents remains a fundamental responsibility of government.
Mutfwang further pledged to defend Plateau State’s tradition of peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, insisting that peace must be protected, citizens treated equally and the rule of law remain supreme.
