Plateau State: Governor Mutfwang Bans Unauthorized Hisbah Activities

• Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has ordered an immediate halt to unauthorized Hisbah activities in parts of Jos North Local Government Area.
• The governor declared these operations illegal and directed security agencies to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those involved in intimidation, harassment, and extortion.
• Mutfwang emphasized that Plateau State operates under one legal system and will not tolerate parallel authorities or self-appointed enforcement bodies.
• The directive is not religiously or ethnically targeted but aims to protect all residents' rights and ensure the supremacy of the rule of law.

Every individual residing in Plateau State, the governor affirmed, possesses the right to live, worship, work, conduct lawful business, and pursue their daily activities without fear of intimidation or interference from any self-appointed authority.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has issued a decisive directive, ordering an immediate cessation of activities by a group reportedly operating as Hisbah within parts of the Jos North Local Government Area. The governor explicitly declared these operations illegal and entirely unauthorized, signaling a firm stance against any non-state actors attempting to exert law enforcement powers. This significant move, announced via a statement on Sunday by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Gyang Bere, follows numerous reports detailing alleged intimidation, harassment, extortion, and the imposition of arbitrary rules and restrictions on local residents.

In response to these concerns, Governor Mutfwang has mandated security agencies across the state to promptly identify and investigate all individuals involved in these unauthorized Hisbah activities. The directive includes a clear order for the arrest and prosecution of anyone found to have violated existing laws. Those participating in these Plateau illegal Hisbah operations have been sternly warned to desist immediately or face the full force of legal action, underscoring the government's commitment to restoring order and legitimate authority in the affected areas. This comprehensive Governor Mutfwang Hisbah arrest order aims to dismantle any parallel enforcement structures, effectively implementing a Plateau State bans unauthorized Hisbah activities.

The governor's strong stance is rooted in the fundamental principle that no individual or collective entity possesses the authority to assume powers not explicitly granted by the Constitution or any other established legal framework. Governor Mutfwang emphasized that Plateau State operates under a singular Constitution, a unified legal system, and one legitimate authority, making it clear that his administration will not countenance the existence of parallel authorities or self-appointed enforcement bodies. He unequivocally stated that the responsibility for enforcing laws rests solely with duly constituted authorities, which must operate strictly within the confines of the law.

This directive serves as a crucial reinforcement of the Plateau State rule of law directive, asserting that the administration will not permit any group to impose rules, restrictions, or sanctions on citizens outside the established legal framework. To bolster this effort, security agencies have been instructed to intensify intelligence gathering and other lawful operations. Their objective is to thoroughly establish the identities and specific activities of those involved in these unauthorized operations, ensuring that anyone found to be promoting, sponsoring, aiding, or abetting these alleged unlawful actions will be investigated and prosecuted where sufficient evidence of a legal violation exists. This firm position directly addresses concerns about Nigeria parallel authorities enforcement.

Governor Mutfwang provided assurances to all residents, pledging that the government would actively protect them from intimidation, harassment, extortion, and any other forms of unlawful coercion. He clarified that the directive against unauthorized Hisbah activities is not aimed at any particular religion, ethnic group, or community. Instead, the governor stressed that Plateau remains a diverse home for people of various faiths and ethnic backgrounds, and all residents are entitled to equal protection under the law. The core issue, he reiterated, is solely one of lawful conduct and legitimate authority.

Every individual residing in Plateau State, the governor affirmed, possesses the right to live, worship, work, conduct lawful business, and pursue their daily activities without fear of intimidation or interference from any self-appointed authority. Governor Mutfwang also commended members of the public who reported these alleged activities to the relevant authorities, assuring them that his administration takes all credible security concerns seriously.

He reaffirmed the government's fundamental responsibility to protect the lives, rights, dignity, and lawful freedoms of all residents, committing to uphold Plateau State's long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence, ensuring that peace is safeguarded, citizens are treated equitably, and the rule of law remains supreme.

Legal professionals advising clients in Plateau State should note the government's firm stance against unauthorized enforcement bodies, reinforcing that all activities must strictly adhere to state-sanctioned laws and authorities. This development clarifies the sole legitimate authority for law enforcement, making any engagement with or advice regarding non-state enforcement groups explicitly risky and subject to prosecution.

Source: Original reporting via Vanguard