The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has demanded immediate and coordinated security reforms from federal and Plateau State authorities, citing escalating violence that has destabilized communities and eroded public trust. In a statement released Monday at the NUJ Secretariat in Jos, the NBA condemned attacks in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Bokkos local government areas, which have left civilians dead and property destroyed. The association highlighted the killing of community vigilantes during a curfew in Kikyau village, Mangu, as a critical failure of security protocols. "The unabated cycle of violence undermines the social contract and public confidence in governance," stated Morgan I. Dung, chairman of the NBA Jos Branch, addressing journalists.",
The NBA specifically cited attacks in Kantoma and Bin-Per villages in Mangu, as well as incidents in Kassa, Wereh, Ropp, Fan, and Marit districts of Barkin Ladi. The association warned that the lack of effective intervention risks "total anarchy and complete breakdown of law and order." It emphasized the constitutional duty of governments to protect lives, referencing Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to life. "The protection of lives and property remains the most fundamental responsibility of government," the statement read.
While commending President Bola Tinubu for visiting Plateau to address recent killings in Jos North, the NBA called for an executive bill to move security matters to the Concurrent Legislative List, granting states greater control over security operations. The association also urged the federal government to equip the Armed Forces, strengthen border surveillance, and address threats along the Plateau-Bauchi-Taraba axis. It further recommended the degazetting of the Pai River Game Reserve and the deployment of military units to combat criminal activities in the region.
The NBA praised Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration for revitalizing Operation Rainbow and neighborhood watch programs, including training 2,000 personnel and establishing a central monitoring center in Jos. However, it urged the state government to license these initiatives under security agencies and amend the Operation Rainbow law. The association also called for the implementation of the Anti-Land Grabbing Law and the creation of police divisions and forward bases across Plateau.
At the local level, the NBA urged chairmen of local governments to reside in their jurisdictions to improve coordination with the state. It advised communities to enhance intelligence-gathering efforts and avoid spreading unverified information. Traditional rulers were urged to monitor population influxes and report suspicious activities. The association also criticized the absence of security vehicles at attack hotspots, demanding their immediate redeployment to frontline areas.
The NBA called for stricter oversight of military uniforms and ammunition, as well as the prosecution of impersonators of security personnel. It demanded investigations into delayed responses to attacks and sanctions for culpable officers. "The spectre of security agencies arriving after assailants have fled must be addressed," the statement said. The association also urged the judiciary to expedite terrorism-related trials and penalize lawyers contributing to procedural delays.
The NBA pledged to leverage its legal expertise to support lawful efforts against insecurity, including prosecuting sponsors of terrorism and ensuring justice for victims. It emphasized that "peace without justice is fragile, and justice without accountability is incomplete." The statement was signed by branch chairmen Morgan I. Dung, Selven D. Zingman, Lucy Pam-Fom Bot, and Sylvia Kumtong.
The NBA’s call comes amid ongoing tensions in Plateau, where intercommunal clashes and banditry have displaced thousands. The association warned that without systemic reforms, constitutional rights to life and security will remain unguaranteed, weakening national cohesion. It reiterated its commitment to legal advocacy, witness protection, and institutional reforms to prevent impunity and recurrence of violence.
The NBA’s statement follows recent reports of school reopenings in Plateau on September 14 and heightened diphtheria surveillance. However, its primary focus remains on security, with the association urging all stakeholders to prioritize the protection of citizens over political or administrative inertia.