Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has declared the activities of Hisbah, an Islamic religious police group, illegal in the state.
The governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying Mutfwang had directed security agencies to immediately stop the activities of a group reportedly operating under the name Hisbah in parts of Jos North Local Government Area.
According to Bere, the governor’s directive followed reports that members of the group had allegedly been intimidating and harassing residents, demanding money from them and imposing rules that were not authorised by the government.
Mutfwang consequently ordered the relevant security agencies to take immediate action to prevent the group from further operating in the affected areas.
He said Mutfwang warned those involved to desist from such activities or face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the Nigerian law.
Bere said the governor maintained that Plateau has “one constitution, one legal system and one legitimate authority”, and would not allow any group to assume powers not conferred on it by law.
“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 was quoted as saying.
Bere noted that Mutfwang has directed security agencies to identify and investigate persons involved in the reported activities.
He said the order also covered persons found to be promoting, sponsoring, aiding or abetting the activities.
Bere said Mutfwang clarified that the directive was not directed at any religion, ethnic group or community.
“The Governor wishes to make clear that this directive is not directed at any religion, ethnic group or community. Plateau State remains home to people of diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, all of whom are entitled to equal protection under the law,” he said.
Bere said the governor thanked members of the public who brought the reported activities to the attention of the authorities.
He said Mutfwang assured residents that his administration would continue to take credible security concerns seriously.
