Plateau Group Supports Mutfwang’s Ban on Unauthorised Hisbah Activities

The Plateau Vanguard for Democracy has backed Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s directive stopping a purported Hisbah enforcement group from operating in parts of Jos North Local Government Area.

National Coordinator Chris Ishaku said no private organisation had the constitutional authority to intimidate residents, impose unauthorised rules or act as a police force or court. The group’s statement followed reports that people associated with the purported group had harassed, intimidated and extorted residents while trying to enforce rules not recognised by Plateau State law.

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Plateau State belongs equally to all its citizens. No private organisation may appoint itself a police force, court or government and impose sanctions unknown to the Constitution and laws of the state.

Ishaku said the governor’s intervention defended public order, individual liberty and equal protection for residents regardless of their religious, ethnic or community affiliations. He stressed that support for the directive should not be interpreted as opposition to any religion or community, but as support for one Constitution, one legal system and one legitimate authority in Plateau State.

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Anyone found sponsoring, aiding or carrying out unlawful acts should be prosecuted, while innocent residents must be protected.

The organisation called on religious, traditional, political and community leaders to discourage unlawful enforcement activities. It advised residents to report complaints to the police or other legally constituted agencies rather than seek enforcement through private groups.

Ishaku welcomed instructions for security agencies to identify and investigate those allegedly involved. He also urged them to respect due process and avoid treating innocent residents as collectively responsible. The allegations against the purported group have not been independently established, and no response from its alleged members was included.

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Peace cannot survive where competing groups create competing laws. Plateau’s diversity must be governed by justice, tolerance and one constitutional order.