By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Plateau State, has expressed concern over the persistent attacks and killings of innocent people in communities across the state.
The Association called on the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to take further steps to address the security situation by sponsoring an executive bill in the National Assembly to fully domicile security on the Concurrent Legislative List.
It also called for state governors to be given adequate command over security apparatus in their respective states, rather than merely being designated as chief security officers without corresponding operational control over theatre commanders and other personnel.
The NBA said maintaining the existing chain of command had proven ineffective in the face of recent security challenges across the country.
The Association made the position known on Monday in Jos during a briefing by the NBA branches in Plateau State, led by the Chairman of the NBA Jos Branch, Morgan I. Dung.
The NBA condemned what it described as the gruesome and sustained attacks on citizens across Plateau State, particularly the recent incidents in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bokkos Local Government Areas, which it said had resulted in significant loss of lives and property.
According to the Association, the situation raises concerns about the government’s constitutional responsibility to protect citizens, adding that the unabated cycle of violence against law-abiding residents undermines public confidence in the state.
The NBA also expressed concern that terrorists had continued to attack communities despite the imposition of curfews in some affected areas.
It urged communities to remain vigilant and support the efforts of security agencies, noting that some community vigilantes in Kikyo Village in Mangu Local Government Area were reportedly killed at their duty post during the same period.
The Association said similar incidents had been reported in Kantoma and Bin-Per villages in Mangu, as well as Kassa, Wereh, Ropp, Fan and Marit Districts in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
It warned that the continued attacks could lead to a further breakdown of law and order if urgent measures were not taken.
The NBA said the persistent violence by non-state actors had created a troubling situation in which perpetrators could evade justice, thereby weakening citizens’ confidence in the ability of the state to protect lives and property.
It further alleged that some communities in Plateau State had been displaced over the years, with their lands allegedly taken over, occupied and renamed by invaders, leaving survivors displaced.
The Association appreciated President Tinubu for visiting Plateau State recently to sympathise with the people over the killings in Jos North Local Government Area and for supporting moves towards the creation of state police.
It also welcomed the proposed security training for Nigerians and called for security personnel to be adequately motivated, equipped, patriotic and disciplined across all formations and ranks.
The NBA further called for stronger border security and surveillance across transnational and international borders.
The Association commended the Plateau State Government for revamping the state-owned security outfit, Operation Rainbow, as well as the recent training of 2,000 personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch and Hunters.
It also commended the state government for procuring security vehicles, including gun trucks, trucks and motorcycles, to strengthen security patrols.
The NBA welcomed the establishment of a command and central monitoring centre in Jos to monitor satellite centres, as well as the setting up of a state committee on the creation of a State Police Service to complement Federal Government efforts.
It also commended the state government’s efforts to tackle illegal mining and the activities of Hisbah in Plateau State.
The Association urged Local Government Chairmen to reside within their respective areas of constitutional authority to ensure effective governance and stronger collaboration with the state government.
It also called on communities to strengthen intelligence gathering and exercise their lawful right to self-defence against non-state actors and perpetrators of violence, while complementing the efforts of security agencies.
The NBA urged citizens to refrain from using social media to spread unverified information or inciting comments and warned against taking the law into their own hands.
It said community-level responses to the underlying causes of violence should be handled discreetly by the appropriate authorities to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
The Association stressed that victims of attacks deserved justice, support and reassurance, while urging traditional rulers to safeguard the property of their subjects, monitor the movement of unidentified persons within their communities and report suspicious activities to Local Government authorities.
It further called for decisive action against kidnapping, banditry, land grabbing, terrorist attacks and other criminal activities.
The NBA urged security agencies to work towards restoring public confidence by effectively confronting threats to peace and security.
It also expressed concern that security vehicles procured through special interventions by the state government were allegedly not sufficiently deployed to flashpoints in rural areas, with some reportedly relocated to the state capital.
The Association called for terrorism-related criminal cases to be handled within a time-bound judicial process to expedite trials and convictions in accordance with the law.
It also urged lawyers who deliberately delay the administration of justice through unethical conduct to comply with professional rules and face appropriate sanctions where violations are established.
The NBA further called for transparency regarding the outcome of trials involving alleged sponsors and other actors in terrorism cases before judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, saying this would help strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
