Plateau lawyers allege attacks continue despite curfews

The Nigerian Bar Association in Plateau State has alleged that terrorists are attacking communities despite government-imposed curfews. The NBA’s branches in Jos, Pankshin, Bukuru and Shendam raised the alarm at a joint press conference in Jos on Monday. They referred to continued killings in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bokkos local government areas.

The association said the attacks demonstrated a failure to protect lives and property. It alleged that community vigilantes in Kikyo village, Mangu, were killed at their duty post during curfew hours. The NBA also cited reported violence in Cantoma and Bin-Per villages in Mangu and Kasa village in Marit District, Barkin Ladi.

It warned that the situation risked creating a complete breakdown of law and order. The lawyers said some communities had been emptied and their lands allegedly occupied or renamed, leaving survivors displaced. They warned that continued impunity was weakening public confidence in the state’s ability to protect citizens.

The association called for greater federal action, including stronger border surveillance, better-equipped security agencies and changes to place security on the Concurrent Legislative List. It also urged the degazetting of forests around Pa’ I River Game Reserve, which it described as a hideout for bandits. The NBA commended state measures including the revival of Operation Rainbow and training for neighbourhood watch members and hunters.

It nevertheless sought more security deployment, investigations into delayed responses and time-bound trials of terrorism cases.