Any group that operates under the guise of Hisbah in Plateau State is illegal, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has declared.
Mutfwang made the declaration in a statement issued on Sunday by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Gyang Bere, in Jos.
A group recently emerged in Jos North Local Government Area, allegedly conducting activities in the name of Hisbah.
Hisbah organisations operate legally in some northern states, including Kano, Katsina and Sokoto, where their activities have received varying forms of government recognition.
Governor Mutfwang, however, declared that Plateau Statevwould not permit any group to operate as a parallel security agency without lawful authorisation.
He warned members of the group against harassment, extortion and imposing unlawful rules, saying offenders would face the full weight of the law.
Said he: “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.”
The governor said the responsibility for enforcing laws rested with constituted authorities operating within Nigeria’s legal framework.
Geographic Reference
He disclosed that he has directed security agencies to intensify intelligence-gathering and lawful operations to identify those involved, just as he directed the agencies to protect residents from intimidation, harassment, extortion and other forms of unlawful coercion.
The governor stressed that the decision was not targeted at any religion, ethnic group or community, noting Plateau’s diverse population.
“Plateau remains home to people of diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds. Every Plateau resident is entitled to equal protection under the law,” the statement said.
Mutfwang said the matter concerned lawful conduct and legitimate authority, rather than religious or ethnic identity.
He maintained that every resident had the right to live, worship, work and conduct lawful businesses without interference from self-appointed authorities.
The governor directed security agencies to identify and investigate persons involved in the reported activities and prosecute those found culpable.
He further directed the arrest and prosecution of anyone found promoting, sponsoring, aiding or abetting the unlawful activities.