NBA URGES FG TO ALLOW STATE POLICE TO CURB KILLINGS IN PLATEAU, DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS. (PHOTO).

 NBA Urges FG to Allow State Police to Curb Killings in Plateau, Demands Justice for Victims

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the Federal Government to permit states to establish armed state police forces to combat the escalating wave of killings and attacks across Nigeria, particularly in Plateau State. Speaking at a joint press conference in Jos on Tuesday, Leah Hassan, Chairman of the NBA Jos Branch, alongside chairmen of the three other NBA branches in Plateau, condemned the recent violent attacks in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas, which have resulted in numerous deaths and widespread displacement.

Hassan described the attacks as “barbaric and evil acts” aimed at seizing ancestral lands and turning residents into strangers in their own homes. “This is not a communal clash but a deliberate attempt to wipe out helpless citizens,” she stated, urging the government to deploy adequate security personnel, empower communities with self-defense mechanisms, and establish state police forces to protect vulnerable areas. The NBA also demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of perpetrators in Plateau State, criticizing the practice of relocating suspects to Abuja, where cases often fade from public view.

The association expressed deep sorrow over the “heart-wrenching” violence, which has shattered the state’s peace and traumatized communities still recovering from prior attacks. Adopting NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe’s April 15 statement, the branches called for the government to uphold constitutional rights to life and deliver visible justice. Additional demands include creating conflict resolution mechanisms, providing relief and rehabilitation for victims, and resettling displaced communities promptly.

While commending the Plateau State government’s efforts, the NBA urged both state and federal authorities to adopt proactive measures to prevent future attacks. “The slogan should no longer be ‘Enough is enough,’ but ‘This is enough – let’s stand up and take action,’” Hassan declared. The NBA vowed to continue advocating for justice and peace through legal and moral platforms.