By: Bola Ogunlayi
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has directed the immediate stoppage of the activities of a group operating under the name Hisbah in parts of Jos North Local Government Area of the state.
The governor described the group’s operations as illegal, unauthorised and unacceptable, warning those involved to immediately desist or face arrest and prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law.
The directive followed reports that members of the group had allegedly been intimidating, harassing and extorting residents, while also imposing rules and restrictions without lawful authority.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Gyang Bere, Governor Mutfwang stressed that Plateau State operates under one Constitution, one legal system and one legitimate authority.
He warned that no individual or group had the right to assume powers or exercise authority that had not been conferred on it by law.
According to the governor, 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 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,” Mutfwang said.
The governor consequently directed security agencies in the state to identify, arrest and investigate individuals allegedly involved in the reported activities and prosecute those found culpable.
He, however, clarified that the directive was not targeted at any religion, ethnic group or community, stressing that Plateau State remained home to people of diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds who were entitled to equal protection under the law.
“The issue before the Government is solely one of lawful conduct and legitimate authority,” he said.
Mutfwang maintained that every resident of Plateau State had the right to live, worship, work, conduct lawful business and go about their daily activities without intimidation or interference from any self-appointed authority.
He further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to preserving the state’s tradition of peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds.
“Governor Mutfwang will continue to defend that tradition by ensuring that peace is protected, citizens are treated equally, and the rule of law remains supreme,” the statement concluded.(Super News.Com)
