The four branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Plateau State have called for urgent action to address the worsening insecurity in the state, demanding justice, accountability and stronger security measures to protect lives and property.
The NBA branches — Jos, Pankshin, Bukuru and Shendam — made the call on Monday, September 28, 2026, during a joint press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Jos.
The delegation was led by the Chairman of the NBA Jos Branch, Morgan I. Dung, who presented the joint position of the branches on the security situation in Plateau State.
The lawyers condemned what they described as sustained attacks on communities, particularly in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bokkos Local Government Areas, saying the recurring violence had resulted in deaths, displacement and destruction of property.
The NBA said the continued attacks raised serious concerns about the constitutional responsibility of government to protect lives, citing Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to life.
According to the association, the situation had also weakened public confidence in the ability of the state to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law.
The lawyers expressed concern that attacks had continued despite the imposition of curfews in some affected communities, citing the killing of community vigilantes at Kikyau in Mangu Local Government Area during curfew hours.
They also referenced reported attacks in Kantoma, Bin-Per, Kassa, Wereh, Ropp, Fan and Marit communities.
The NBA urged the Federal Government to consider moving security matters to the Concurrent Legislative List to give state governors greater operational control over security formations within their states.
It also called for improved equipment, motivation and discipline among security personnel, as well as stronger border surveillance to tackle the movement of criminal elements across Plateau and neighbouring states.
The association further called for the conversion of the Pai River Game Reserve into a military formation, arguing that the area had allegedly become a hideout for criminal elements operating around the Plateau-Bauchi-Taraba axis.
State Government’s Efforts
The NBA commended the Plateau State Government for efforts to strengthen local security arrangements, including the revival of Operation Rainbow and the Neighbourhood Watch, training of personnel, provision of security vehicles and establishment of a central command and monitoring centre in Jos.
It also acknowledged the creation of a state committee on the establishment of a State Police Service.
However, the lawyers urged the government to facilitate the licensing of Operation Rainbow and Neighbourhood Watch personnel to operate appropriate security equipment under the supervision of frontline security agencies.
They also called for an amendment of the Operation Rainbow law, implementation of the state’s Anti-Land Grabbing Law and provision of structures for police divisions and Forward Operating Bases established in the state.
The NBA further urged Plateau, Bauchi and Taraba states to strengthen cooperation in tackling security threats along their shared borders.
Call for Community and Local Government Action
The lawyers called on local government chairmen to remain within their respective areas of jurisdiction to improve governance, intelligence gathering and coordination with the state government.
They also urged communities to strengthen intelligence gathering while exercising lawful self-defence against attacks, and cautioned residents against spreading unverified information, making inflammatory comments or taking the law into their own hands.
Traditional rulers, according to the NBA, should also protect the property of their subjects, monitor the movement of unidentified persons and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
Security Agencies Must Act
The association demanded the immediate deployment of security vehicles and personnel to vulnerable communities and flashpoints rather than keeping such resources predominantly at the state headquarters.
It also called for tighter control of military uniforms, ammunition and other security equipment to prevent criminals from impersonating security personnel.
The NBA further demanded investigations into cases where security agencies allegedly arrive at attack scenes after perpetrators have fled, saying any officer found culpable should face appropriate sanctions.
It also recommended regular redeployment of security personnel who have remained in particular communities for long periods to reduce the risk of familiarity and possible compromise.
Faster Trials for Terrorism Cases
On the judiciary, the NBA called for time-bound trials of terrorism-related cases to ensure that suspects who are found guilty are brought to justice without unnecessary delays.
The association also urged lawyers to comply with professional conduct rules and avoid actions that unnecessarily delay criminal proceedings.
It called for the publication of the outcomes of trials involving alleged sponsors and other actors in terrorism cases to strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
NBA Pledges Legal Support for Victims
The NBA said it would use its expertise in criminal law, constitutional law, human rights, public-interest litigation, alternative dispute resolution and legal aid to support efforts to address insecurity in Plateau.
It said it would work with government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and affected communities to document atrocities, preserve evidence and pursue appropriate legal action.
The association also pledged to support efforts to identify and prosecute persons who finance, sponsor, facilitate or otherwise aid terrorism and other violent crimes where sufficient evidence exists.
It promised to advocate for the protection of witnesses and victims, as well as legal support for vulnerable and displaced persons.
During the interactive session with journalists after the statement, the NBA leadership disclosed that the association had been handling several human-rights cases, many of which received little public attention because they originated at the grassroots.
The lawyers encouraged residents whose rights had allegedly been violated to approach any of the NBA branches in Plateau State for assistance.
The NBA Jos chairman also disclosed that the branch was currently pursuing a matter involving two soldiers who were reportedly convicted and sentenced to death by a military court in Jos.
He said the NBA became involved over concerns about the soldiers’ constitutional right to appeal, noting that the matter was still before the relevant authorities.
The lawyers further explained that citizens had a legal right to self-defence, but stressed that such defence must be proportionate to the level of aggression involved.
They cited the Supreme Court case of Jackson v. the State, while noting that the judgment contained a dissenting opinion and that subsequent legal discussions could influence how similar situations are treated in the future.
The NBA also called on residents who had information about persons arrested in connection with recent attacks but later released to provide such information to the association for possible legal follow-up.
The lawyers said their human-rights committees across the four branches were available to receive complaints and assist affected residents.
The association said the objective was not to engage in a blame game but to mobilise legal expertise and other stakeholders towards finding lasting solutions to insecurity.
“We cannot continue to keep silent while people are dying everywhere,” the NBA said, stressing its readiness to use the legal profession as a tool for accountability and justice.
The association maintained that the problem was not necessarily the absence of laws but weak implementation, adding that citizens must be able to feel the impact and protection provided by those laws.
It urged all stakeholders to work together to address insecurity and restore confidence in the ability of institutions to protect lives and property.
The four NBA branches reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing lawful measures aimed at building a safer, more just and peaceful Plateau State.
