Governor Caleb Mutfwang has declared the activities of any group operating under the name or guise of Hisbah illegal in Plateau State and ordered security agencies to move against those involved.

The governor’s directive followed reports of the emergence of a group in parts of Jos North Local Government Area, where members were allegedly carrying out activities in the name of Hisbah.

Mutfwang said the group had no legal authority to enforce rules or exercise powers over residents in the state.

He also directed security agencies to investigate the group, identify its members and arrest anyone found to have violated the law.

The governor’s position was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.

According to the statement, the administration took the decision after receiving reports of alleged intimidation, harassment, extortion and the imposition of rules on residents by persons operating under the Hisbah name.

Mutfwang warned those involved to stop immediately or face prosecution under Nigerian law.

The governor made it clear that Plateau State would not allow any organisation to create a parallel authority or act as a substitute for government agencies.

“Government will not permit the emergence of any parallel authority, self-appointed enforcement body or group seeking to impose rules, restrictions or sanctions on citizens.

“No individual or group has the authority to appoint itself the government of Plateau,” he said.

He stressed that law enforcement remained the responsibility of government institutions established under the Constitution and other applicable laws.

The governor therefore instructed the security agencies to step up intelligence gathering in the affected areas.

They are expected to establish the identity of those behind the reported activities and determine the extent of their operations.

Mutfwang also ordered that anyone found to be promoting, funding, assisting or supporting the alleged unlawful activities should be investigated.

Where evidence of wrongdoing is established, such persons are to be arrested and prosecuted.

The governor’s directive comes amid concerns over the activities of informal groups seeking to enforce religious or social rules outside the recognised security and legal structures.

Hisbah organisations operate in a number of northern states, including Kano, Katsina and Sokoto, although their legal frameworks and areas of operation differ from one state to another.

Mutfwang, however, maintained that the situation in Plateau was different because the group in question had not been authorised by the state government to perform any enforcement function.

He said no organisation could simply assume powers that had not been granted to it by law.

The governor further directed security agencies to ensure that residents in Jos North and other affected areas were protected from threats, harassment and unlawful demands.

He said residents must be allowed to go about their normal activities without interference from individuals claiming authority they do not possess.

Mutfwang also moved to prevent the issue from being interpreted as a religious confrontation.

He said the decision was based on the need to maintain law and order and was not aimed at any particular religion, ethnic group or community.

“Plateau remains home to people of diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds. Every Plateau resident is entitled to equal protection under the law,” he said.

The governor said the government was concerned about conduct and lawful authority rather than the religious identity of the people involved.

He maintained that every resident had the right to worship freely, work, operate a legitimate business and live without intimidation.

“The issue before the Government is solely one of lawful conduct and legitimate authority. Every resident of Plateau State has the right to live, worship, work, conduct lawful business and go about their daily activities without intimidation or interference from any self-appointed authority,” he said.

Mutfwang also thanked residents who alerted government authorities to the reported activities.

He said the government would continue to treat credible security reports seriously and respond where necessary to protect residents.

The governor reiterated that the protection of lives, rights and lawful freedoms remained one of the primary responsibilities of his administration.

He also linked the latest directive to the need to preserve peaceful coexistence in Plateau, a state with a population made up of people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds.

The governor said the government would continue to uphold the rule of law and ensure that residents were treated equally.

In another development, the Plateau State Government had in May declared that the state was “at war with terrorists and enemies of the state” following a series of deadly attacks and announced tougher security measures across the state.