The Nigerian Bar Association has called for urgent and coordinated action by the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government to halt recurring attacks on communities across Plateau State, warning that the continued loss of lives and property is undermining public confidence in government and the rule of law.
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The position was presented on Monday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Jos by the Chairman of the NBA Jos Branch, Morgan I. Dung, on behalf of the association’s branches in the state.
The NBA condemned recent attacks in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bokkos Local Government Areas, expressing concern that communities continued to come under attack despite security measures, including curfews.
“The unabated cycle of violence unleashed on law-abiding citizens denigrates the social contract, and undermines public confidence in the State,” the association said.
The NBA specifically referred to the killing of community vigilantes at their duty post in Kikyau village, Mangu Local Government Area, during curfew hours, as well as reported attacks in Kantoma and Bin-Per villages in Mangu.
It also cited incidents in Kassa, Wereh, Ropp, Fan and Marit districts in Barkin Ladi, warning that the continued violence amounted to “an invitation to total anarchy and complete breakdown of law and order”.
The association stressed that the protection of lives and property remained the most fundamental responsibility of government and cited Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to life.
“The protection of lives and property is the most fundamental responsibility of government,” the NBA said.
The association also expressed concern that repeated attacks had created a situation in which perpetrators could operate with impunity, while some communities had allegedly been displaced from their ancestral lands over the years.
The NBA commended President Bola Tinubu for visiting Plateau to condole with the state over killings in Jos North and also acknowledged his efforts towards the creation of state police and the proposed security training of Nigerians.
It, however, called on the Federal Government to sponsor an executive bill before the National Assembly to move security to the Concurrent Legislative List and give state governors greater control over security operations within their states.
“Maintaining status quo in the chain of command has proven to be unyielding in the light of recent ugly developments in the country,” the association said.
The NBA further urged the Federal Government to adequately equip and motivate the Armed Forces and paramilitary agencies, strengthen border surveillance and address threats around communities sharing boundaries with Bauchi and Taraba states.
It also called for the degazetting of the forest around the Pai River Game Reserve and the establishment of a military formation in the area to address criminal activities around the Plateau, Bauchi and Taraba axis.
The association commended the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang for revamping the Neighbourhood Watch and Operation Rainbow, training 2,000 personnel, procuring security vehicles and motorcycles, establishing a command and central monitoring centre in Jos and setting up a committee on the creation of a state police service.
“The above initiatives came with a huge relief to Plateau citizens,” the NBA said.
It nevertheless urged the state government to facilitate the licensing of Operation Rainbow and Neighbourhood Watch personnel to operate kinetic facilities under the supervision of frontline security agencies.
The lawyers also called for an amendment of the Plateau State Operation Rainbow law, implementation of the Anti-Land Grabbing Law and provision of structures for police divisions and forward operating bases across the state.
They further urged Plateau, Bauchi and Taraba states to strengthen cooperation in tackling security challenges along their shared borders.
At the local government level, the NBA called on council chairmen to reside within their respective areas of jurisdiction to improve governance and coordination with the state government.
It urged communities to strengthen intelligence gathering while cautioning citizens against spreading unverified information, making inciting comments or taking the law into their own hands.
Traditional rulers were also urged to safeguard the property of their subjects, monitor the influx of unidentified persons into their communities and report unusual activities to the relevant authorities.
Turning to security agencies, the NBA demanded a more effective response to kidnapping, banditry, land grabbing, terrorism and other crimes.
It expressed concern over what it described as the “near absence” of security vehicles procured through state government intervention at flashpoints in the hinterlands and demanded their immediate redeployment.
“We demand their immediate relocation to combat insecurity in real time,” the association said.
The NBA also called for tighter control over military uniforms, ammunition and other security accoutrements, as well as the arrest and prosecution of persons impersonating security personnel.
It demanded investigations into delayed responses to attacks and sanctions against security officers found culpable.
“The spectre of security agencies belatedly appearing in scenes of attack after the assailants have successfully retreated should be investigated,” the association said.
On the judiciary, the NBA called for time-bound trials of terrorism-related cases to ensure speedy determination and prosecution.
It also called for sanctions against lawyers whose unethical conduct contributes to delays in the administration of justice and urged the publication of the outcomes of trials involving identified sponsors and other actors of terrorism in order to strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
The NBA said its branches in Plateau State were committed to deploying their expertise in criminal law, constitutional law, human rights, public interest litigation, alternative dispute resolution and legal aid in support of lawful efforts to address insecurity.
“The NBA will support every lawful effort to ensure that perpetrators of atrocities, including those who finance, sponsor, facilitate or otherwise aid acts of terrorism and other violent crimes, are identified, investigated and, where sufficient evidence exists, prosecuted in accordance with the law,” it said.
The association also pledged to advocate protection for witnesses and victims, provide legal support for vulnerable and displaced persons and promote institutional reforms aimed at preventing impunity and recurrence.
“Peace without justice is fragile, and justice without accountability is incomplete,” the NBA said.
The statement was signed by Morgan I. Dung, Chairman of the NBA Jos Branch; Selven D. Zingman, Chairman of the Pankshin Branch; Lucy Pam-Fom Bot, Chairman of the Bukuru Branch; and Sylvia Kumtong, Chairman of the Shendam Branch.
The NBA maintained that the recurring attacks raised serious constitutional and governance concerns, stressing that Nigerians have a right to life and security.
It warned that “when these rights are not guaranteed, public confidence erodes, national cohesion weakens, and the rule of law is undermined”.
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