The four branches of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Plateau State have raised the alarm over the worsening insecurity in the state, warning that campaign promises and 2027 vote targets are meaningless if citizens are not alive to vote.
The NBA stated this on Monday, 28th September, 2026, during a Joint Press Conference held at the NUJ Secretariat, Jos, on the state of insecurity in Plateau State. The text was read by Barr. Morgan Dung, Chairman, NBA Jos Branch, and signed by Selven Zingman, Chairman Pankshin Branch; Lucy Pam-Fom Bot, Chairman Bukuru Branch and Sylvia Kumtong, Chairman Shendam Branch.
The NBA said Government Has Failed In Its Primary Responsibility to protect lives and property and they also said one of the fundamental objectives of government is to guarantee fundamental rights as captured in Chapter Four of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, particularly Section 33 which guarantees right to life.
“The protection of lives and property is the most fundamental responsibility of government, and the NBA frowns at the inability of government to prevent the continuous loss of lives and property in Nigeria and in Plateau State,”_ the statement said.
The Bar condemned in the strongest terms the gruesome and sustained attacks on citizens across the state, with the most recent in *Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bokkos LGAs.*
“This painfully confirms insufficient commitment to constitutional responsibility. The unabated cycle of violence denigrates social contracts and undermines public confidence in the state,”_ the NBA said.
The lawyers lamented that even during curfew imposed in affected areas, terrorists disrespected the order and attacked communities obeying it. In Kikyo village in Mangu LGA, community vigilantes were killed at their duty post during curfew hours. Similar ugly developments were reported in Cantoma and Bin-Per villages in Mangu, and Kasa village in Marit District, Barkin Ladi.
“This is an invitation to total anarchy and complete breakdown of law and order,” the NBA warned, adding that some communities have been completely sacked, lands grabbed, occupied and renamed, while survivors remain displaced.
Demands From Federal Government
While appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for visiting Plateau over killings in Jos North and for facilitating the creation of State Police, the NBA called on the Federal Government to:
1. Domicile Security Under Concurrent List: Sponsor an Executive Bill in the National Assembly to fully domicile security under the Concurrent Legislative List, giving governors adequate command of security apparatus rather than bearing the title of Chief Security Officers without control of operations.
2. Motivate and Equip Security Agencies:* The Armed Forces and paramilitary should be well-motivated, equipped, patriotic and disciplined to neutralize allegations of bias and compromise in Plateau.
3. Strengthen Border Security: Strengthen surveillance across transnational borders, noting that Garga in Kanam LGA which shares boundaries with Bauchi and Taraba is under siege by bandits. The NBA alleged invasion by Fulani militia from Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Republic of Niger.
4. Degazette Pa’i River Game Reserve Forest: Degazette the forest harbouring Pa’i River Game Reserve which serves as hideout for bandits and replace it with a military formation to neutralize terrorists around Plateau, Bauchi and Taraba borders.
The NBA noted that insecurity has hampered agriculture and mining, major spinners of Plateau’s economy.
It commended the Plateau State Government for revamping Operation Rainbow and Neighbourhood Watch, training of 2,000 personnel, purchase of gun trucks and bikes, establishment of Command and Control Centre in Jos, setting up of State Committee on State Police, and banning illegal mining.
However, it urged the state government to:
– Facilitate licensing of Operation Rainbow and Neighbourhood Watch personnel to operate kinetic facilities under supervision of frontline security agencies.
– Amend the Operation Rainbow Law to accommodate innovative strategies.
– Implement the Anti-Land Grabbing Law.
– Provide structures for police divisions and Forward Operation Bases.
– Synergize with Bauchi and Taraba on tripartite border security.
The NBA charged LGA Chairmen to be resident in their areas, communities to coordinate intelligence gathering and exercise right of self-defence within the law, and citizens to restrain from misuse of social media.
It called on traditional rulers to safeguard property, censor influx of unidentified persons and report unusual activities.
On security agencies, the Bar demanded immediate relocation of combat vehicles to flashpoints, control of military wares and ammunition, public prosecution of impersonators, investigation of belated appearance at attack scenes, and regular redeployment of personnel to avoid compromise.
On justice, the NBA called for time-bound dispensation of terrorism cases as in electoral matters, sanctioning of lawyers who aid delay, and for state governors to sign death warrants of convicted terrorists as deterrent.
“Rather than mocking the supreme sacrifice of slain security personnel by orchestrated reintegration of their killers into society, governors should muster willpower to sign death warrants of convicts of terrorism,” the statement said.
It demanded that outcomes of trials of sponsors of terrorism be made public.
The NBA also noted that “If Killings Continue, No One Will Be Left To Vote” and therefore call on the government to act swiftly.
The NBA reaffirmed its commitment to use law, advocacy and professional expertise to promote access to justice, document atrocities and pursue accountability, stressing that _“peace without justice is fragile and justice without accountability is incomplete.”_
In a striking remark, the NBA said:
“Mr. President, last week, the City Boy campaign was launched in Jos with the hope of raising at least one million votes for Mr. President in 2027. Mr. President, as of 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, the 26th day of September 2026, six persons were confirmed dead at Laja Village in Marin District, leaving you with 964 votes. Mr. President, if these killings continue unabated, chances are that there may be no single Nigerian left to cast a vote in 2027. Campaign promises can only be fulfilled when citizens are alive to benefit from them.”_
The press conference ended with a call for all hands to be on deck to lawfully _“dissipate, pulverize, obliterate and annihilate this enigmatic conundrum”_ to hand over to children a banner without bloodstains.
Peter Akpah is an investigative journalist/Blogger a public affairs commentator, social media influencer, content creator and a chess player., studied journalism at MANCAT, Digital journalism with Router, attend many capacity building training on journalism and blogging.
By SN24.com 
