By Palang Paul
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Plateau State has called for an investigation into alleged delays by security agencies in responding to recent attacks across the state.
The NBA made the demand on Monday at a press conference by its branches in Plateau State at the NUJ Secretariat in Jos the Plateau State Capital.
Chairman of the NBA, Jos Branch, Morgan Dung, said security personnel found culpable of delaying responses to attacks should be sanctioned.
He said the recurring violence in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bokkos local government areas had raised serious concerns over the protection of lives and property and weakened public confidence in security institutions.
“The protection of lives and property is the most fundamental responsibility of government,” Dung said, citing Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to life.
The NBA said recent attacks continued despite the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed in some affected areas, noting that community vigilantes in Kikyau, Mangu LGA, were killed at their duty post during the curfew.
It also cited attacks reported in Kantoma and Bin-Per in Mangu, as well as Kassa, Wereh, Ropp, Fan and Marit in Barkin Ladi.
The association described the situation as a threat to law and order and called for a review of security deployments across affected communities.
It alleged that security agencies sometimes arrived at attack scenes after assailants had retreated and demanded investigations to determine whether any personnel were responsible for delayed responses.
The lawyers also called for the immediate redeployment of security vehicles purchased by the Plateau State Government to flashpoints in the hinterlands, rather than keeping them at the state headquarters.
On security reforms, the NBA commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his recent visit to Plateau and his initiative towards the creation of state police.
The association urged the Federal Government to sponsor an Executive Bill to place greater control of security operations under state governments, arguing that governors currently lack corresponding operational control despite being designated chief security officers of their states.
The NBA also called for stronger border surveillance, citing insecurity around communities bordering Bauchi and Taraba states.
It further urged the government to replace the Pai River Game Reserve in Kanam LGA with a military formation, alleging that the forest had become a hideout for criminal elements.
The association commended the Plateau State Government for revamping Operation Rainbow and Neighbourhood Watch, including the reported training of 2,000 personnel and provision of security vehicles.
It called for a central command and monitoring centre in Jos and the establishment of a state committee to work towards the creation of a state police service.
The lawyers also urged the government to amend the Plateau State Operation Rainbow law to allow its personnel to operate approved kinetic facilities under the supervision of frontline security agencies.
On the justice system, the NBA demanded speedy trials of terrorism-related cases and greater transparency in the prosecution of alleged sponsors and perpetrators of attacks.
It called for the publication of outcomes of terrorism-related trials before judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, saying this would help strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
The association also pledged to support victims, preserve evidence, provide legal assistance and pursue public-interest litigation against perpetrators and sponsors of violent crimes where sufficient evidence exists.
The NBA urged traditional rulers, local government authorities and communities to strengthen intelligence gathering while warning citizens against spreading unverified information or taking the law into their own hands.
The association said the recurring attacks had constitutional, security and justice implications, stressing that victims deserved justice, support and protection.
It said it would work with government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations and affected communities to promote accountability and prevent further attacks.
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