The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Plateau State branches, has questioned the effectiveness of security measures in the state, following continued attacks on communities despite the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on three local government areas.
The association also demanded the immediate deployment of security vehicles to flashpoints in the hinterlands, alleging that some vehicles procured by the Plateau State Government had been relocated to the state headquarters.
The NBA made the demands on Monday in Jos during a joint press conference on the state of insecurity in Plateau State, where Chairman of the NBA Jos Branch, Morgan I. Dung, presented the position of the four branches.
The Plateau State Government had imposed a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew on Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Bokkos on September 21, saying the measure was intended to allow security agencies to stabilise the affected areas, protect lives and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
However, the NBA said the continued attacks during the restriction period raised serious concerns about the capacity of security agencies to protect communities.
The association cited the killing of community vigilantes at their duty post in Kikyau village, Mangu Local Government Area, during the curfew, alongside reported attacks in Kantoma and Bin-Per villages in Mangu.
It also listed Kassa, Wereh, Ropp, Fan and Marit districts in Barkin Ladi among areas where similar security concerns had been reported.
The killing of three men keeping watch over their community at the Kyikyau-Gyambwas boundary in Mangu during curfew hours had earlier raised concerns about the effectiveness of the restriction. The incident was reported to have occurred at about 7:39 p.m., after the curfew had taken effect.
The NBA said security agencies must regain public confidence and ensure that interventions provided by government actually reach communities facing attacks.
“Special interventions by the State Government in procuring security vehicles appears to have been watered down with the near absence of the vehicles at flash points in the hinter lands and their relocation to the State headquarters.
“We demand their immediate relocation to combat insecurity in real time,” the association said.
The lawyers also demanded an investigation into what they described as the belated appearance of security agencies at scenes of attacks after assailants had retreated.
“The spectre of security agencies belatedly appearing in scenes of attack after the assailants have successfully retreated should be investigated and erring security officers found culpable, be punished publicly,” the NBA said.
It further called for regular redeployment of security personnel who had stayed for prolonged periods in particular communities, saying the measure was necessary to prevent familiarity and possible compromise with criminal elements.
The association commended the Plateau State Government for revamping Operation Rainbow and the Neighbourhood Watch, training 2,000 personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch and Hunters, and procuring security vehicles for patrol operations.
It, however, called for the licensing of Operation Rainbow and Neighbourhood Watch personnel to operate kinetic facilities under the supervision of frontline security agencies.
The NBA also urged security agencies to strengthen patrols, intelligence gathering and rapid response in vulnerable communities.
It said the recurring attacks were not only claiming lives and destroying property but also affecting agricultural and mining activities, which are major contributors to Plateau State’s economy.
The association urged the Federal and Plateau State governments, local authorities and security agencies to take urgent measures to restore public confidence and protect communities from further attacks.
