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Islamic Group Speaks on Establishment of Hisbah in Plateau
Islamic Group Speaks on Establishment of Hisbah in Platea
The Plateau State chapter of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has dismissed reports that an Islamic organisation established a Hisbah Corps to enforce religious and moral rules in parts of Jos North Local Government Area of the state.
Politics Nigeria reports the group described the claims as false and insisted that no Islamic organisation in the state had initiated plans to establish Hisbah or any similar enforcement body.
The clarification came amid growing public concern over claims that individuals operating under the name “HISBA” had allegedly been intimidating residents, harassing people, extorting money and imposing unauthorised restrictions in some communities.
Recall that Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State had earlier ordered an immediate end to the activities of the group, describing its operations as illegal and unauthorised.
The governor also directed security agencies to identify and investigate those behind the activities and arrest anyone found to have committed criminal offences.
Mutfwang, through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Gyang Bere, warned against the emergence of parallel authorities or self-appointed enforcement organisations in the state.
He maintained that the enforcement of laws remained the responsibility of constitutionally recognised authorities and that no individual or organisation had the right to assume powers not granted by law.
According to the governor, Plateau State operates under one Constitution, one legal system and one legitimate authority.
He stressed that the government’s directive was not targeted at any religion, ethnic group or community but was aimed at ensuring that all residents operated within the law.
The governor further directed security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and protect residents from alleged intimidation, harassment, extortion and other forms of unlawful coercion.
Amid the controversy, the JNI secretary in Plateau, Dr Salim Musa Umar, said the organisation had investigated the claims and found no basis for reports that a Hisbah Corps was being established
In a statement released on Tuesday, Umar said the controversy appeared to have originated from social media, where images allegedly generated using artificial intelligence were circulated to create the impression that a Hisbah group had been inaugurated in Jos North.
“I want to assure the people that no Islamic organisation in Plateau has come out to say it wants to establish Hisbah. There is nothing like that. It has never been discussed, and it is not part of what is being considered,” Umar said.
He explained that the establishment of a Hisbah organisation would require legal backing from the Plateau State House of Assembly, stressing that no religious body could unilaterally create such an enforcement institution.
“Hisbah cannot be established without a law from the State House of Assembly, and the government has not done that. Therefore, people cannot simply come out and claim that they have established Hisbah,” he added.
The JNI official urged residents to disregard the reports and appealed to social media users to stop creating and circulating unverified content capable of inflaming tensions or undermining peaceful coexistence in Plateau State.
Troops of Enduring Peace have arrested four suspected illegal arms fabricators and gunrunners during coordinated intelligence-driven operations in the Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
The Nigerian Army said on Tuesday that the operation also led to the recovery of locally fabricated firearms, ammunition and other incriminating items.
It stated that the operation dealt a blow to suspected illegal arms supply networks fuelling insecurity in the state.
“Acting on credible intelligence received on 4 October 2026, troops of Sectors 8 and 4 conducted coordinated covert operations between 7 and 11 October 2026, leading to the arrest of the suspects,” it said.
The arrested suspects include Ayuba Sunday Abot, a suspected illegal arms fabricator operating in Heipang, Barkin Ladi LGA, and three suspected gunrunners identified as Tangkat Danjuma, Kopdi Appollos and Nyam Nzang, who allegedly operated across Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs.
The statement explained that items recovered during the operations include one locally fabricated revolver rifle, one locally fabricated pistol, one fabricated AK-47 barrel, one AK-47 magazine and 42 rounds of 7.62 × 54mm ammunition, alongside other items suspected to be associated with the illegal activities.
“The recoveries are expected to provide valuable leads in ongoing investigations aimed at uncovering illicit arms production and distribution networks.
“Preliminary interrogation reportedly revealed allegations that the recovered ammunition was purchased at ₦3,000 per round from an unidentified soldier,” it said.
It noted that the allegation is being thoroughly investigated to establish its authenticity and identify any persons who may have been involved in the alleged transaction.
It added that the suspects and recovered items were in the custody of the troops’ headquarters for further investigation and necessary action.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, Enugu State chapter, has condemned reported attacks on opposition parties in the state, particularly incidents involving members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
Speaking through the Obodoeze Media Project, the mouthpiece of the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Ocho Obodoeze Chukwuma, the ADC said the reported use of firearms in a political environment was deeply troubling and represented a serious threat to public safety, democratic participation and peaceful coexistence.
The party sympathised with the NDC, its leadership and members over the disturbing developments.
“We call on the relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law.
“While reports have circulated alleging that a life was lost, the Enugu State Government has disputed that claim, and the police have reported that a man sustained a suspected gunshot injury.
“We therefore urge the authorities to establish and publicly clarify the facts, while ensuring that the injured receive appropriate care and that justice is not compromised.
“We are equally concerned about the circumstances surrounding the restriction of NDC members who reportedly gathered at Akanu Ibiam International Airport to receive their party’s governorship candidate. Airports require appropriate security arrangements, and all applicable rules must be respected.
“However, those rules must be applied consistently, transparently and without political discrimination. Members of political parties and other groups are regularly seen welcoming associates and leaders at public arrival points.
“Any restriction imposed on one political party must therefore be supported by clear, consistently applied regulations rather than arbitrary or partisan considerations,” the statement said.
The party called on the Federal Ministry of Aviation to institute an independent and transparent inquiry, in conjunction with the appropriate airport authorities, to establish precisely what happened, the basis for the restrictions imposed on the NDC, and whether the same standards are applied to other political parties.
“Public institutions must remain impartial and must never create the impression that lawful civic participation is permitted for one group but denied to another on account of political affiliation.
“At this critical time, we urge all political parties, their supporters and relevant authorities to reject violence, uphold democratic principles and allow lawful political activities to take place in an atmosphere of peace, fairness and mutual respect.
“Our position remains unequivocal: the rule of law must prevail, equality before the law must be upheld, and the dignity of every human person must be recognised and protected, irrespective of political affiliation.
“No individual or group should be above the law, and no citizen should be made to feel that their rights are inferior because of the political party they support.
“Enugu State belongs to all of us. Its peace, democratic institutions and public resources must serve everyone without discrimination,” the party further stated.
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