Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has rejected the activities of a group reportedly operating under the name HISBA in parts of Jos North Local Government Area, declaring such activities illegal, unauthorised and unacceptable in the state.
Governor Mutfwang, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, directed security agencies to immediately identify and investigate individuals involved in the reported activities.
The directive followed reports alleging that members of the group had been involved in the intimidation, harassment and extortion of residents, as well as the imposition of unauthorised rules and restrictions.
The governor warned those involved to immediately desist from such activities or face arrest and prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law.
Mutfwang stressed that Plateau State has one Constitution, one legal system and one legitimate authority, noting that no individual or group has the legal right to assume powers that have not been conferred upon it by law.
He said the government would not allow the emergence of any parallel authority or self-appointed enforcement body seeking to impose rules, restrictions or sanctions on citizens outside the 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,” the governor stated.
He therefore directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found to have violated the law, including individuals promoting, sponsoring, aiding or abetting such activities, where sufficient evidence is established.
The security agencies were also directed to intensify intelligence gathering and other lawful operations to establish the identity and activities of those involved and ensure residents are protected from intimidation, harassment, extortion and unlawful coercion.
Governor Mutfwang clarified that the directive was not targeted at any religion, ethnic group or community, stressing that Plateau State remains home to people of diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds who are entitled to equal protection under the law.
He said the issue before the government was strictly about lawful conduct and legitimate authority, adding that every resident has the right to live, worship, work, conduct lawful business and go about their daily activities without intimidation or interference from any self-appointed authority.
The governor also commended members of the public who alerted authorities to the reported activities and assured residents that his administration would continue to take credible security concerns seriously.
Mutfwang reaffirmed that protecting the lives, rights, dignity and lawful freedoms of all residents remains a fundamental responsibility of government.
He further pledged to protect Plateau State’s tradition of peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds while ensuring that citizens are treated equally and the rule of law remains supreme.
