In response to the recent surge of violence in Plateau State, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the Federal Government to urgently permit the creation of state police forces to effectively tackle the growing insecurity in the country. This demand was made by Leah Hassan, Chairperson of the NBA’s Jos Branch, during a press briefing attended by leaders of the other three NBA branches in Plateau State.
Hassan strongly condemned the latest wave of deadly attacks in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas, which left numerous residents dead, injured, and displaced. She described the killings as inhumane and an affront to the fundamental rights enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, particularly the right to life. According to her, the victims are being forcibly evicted from their ancestral homes, effectively turning them into strangers on their own land.
The NBA insisted that the Federal Government must go beyond expressions of sympathy and take concrete, immediate action. Among their demands were the deployment of sufficient security personnel to vulnerable areas, legal authorization for state police, and the provision of self-defense mechanisms for affected communities. The association emphasized the importance of prosecuting all perpetrators of the violence swiftly and transparently, preferably within Plateau State to avoid cases being transferred to Abuja where justice is often delayed or denied.
Hassan referred to a recent statement by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, which urged the government to live up to its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property. She reiterated the need for proactive steps, including establishing conflict resolution mechanisms and early warning systems involving community leaders and civil society groups.
The NBA declared that the ongoing violence is not the result of communal clashes, as often portrayed, but rather a coordinated effort to destroy innocent lives and displace entire communities. The association stressed that justice and accountability must be prioritized and assured the public of its continued advocacy for peace, justice, and the rule of law in Plateau State.