Killings: Allow state police, NBA urges FG

The Nigerian Bar Association has called on the Federal Government to allow states to establish their own police forces to curb the increasing wave of killings and attacks across the country.

The Chairman of the NBA, Jos Branch, Leah Hassan, made the call on Tuesday during a joint press conference in Jos, attended by chairmen of the three other NBA branches in Plateau State.

Hassan condemned the recent violent attacks in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas, which resulted in the deaths and displacement of many residents.

“We cannot continue to be silent in the face of these barbaric and evil acts of killing innocent citizens and taking over their ancestral lands, making them strangers in their own homes. That states should be allowed to establish state police who will be armed with weapons to defend our communities.”

The NBA urged the Federal Government to take concrete actions, including the deployment of adequate security personnel to vulnerable communities and the empowerment of those communities with means of self-defense.

It also demanded the immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks, along with the provision of relief and rehabilitation for victims, especially women and children.

“The Nigerian Bar Association branches on the Plateau are deeply saddened and pained by the recent spate of violent attacks in Bokkos and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State, which have claimed numerous innocent lives and left many others injured, displaced, traumatised, and grieving.

“It is utterly heart-wrenching that while Plateau State is yet to recover from the horror and pain of previous attacks, our peace is once again shattered by another wave of senseless and barbaric killings. These acts of violence are a direct assault on our shared humanity, the rule of law, and the fundamental right to life as enshrined in our Constitution”, Hassan added.

She referred to the April 15, 2025, statement by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), which called on the government to fulfill its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.

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“We adopt in totality the President’s address, calling on the government to uphold the tenets of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly the right to life.”

The NBA condemned the attacks as premeditated and urged security agencies to go beyond rhetoric and deliver visible and effective justice.

“The continued bloodletting in Plateau State, under the guise of communal crises, must no longer be treated with indifference or vague promises. The slogan should no longer be ‘Enough is enough,’ but ‘This is enough – let’s stand up and take action.’”

The four NBA branches in Plateau State commended efforts made so far by the state government but urged both state and federal authorities to adopt proactive measures to prevent future attacks.

“This is not a communal clash as claimed by some, but a deliberate attempt to wipe out helpless citizens sleeping in their homes at night by wicked men who have no regard for human lives,” the association said.

The NBA’s key demands include: “Immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of all perpetrators. All arrested suspects should be prosecuted in Plateau State, not relocated to Abuja, where their cases often disappear from public view. Deployment of adequate security personnel to vulnerable communities, with clear mandates to protect residents. Legal backing for the establishment of state police forces, equipped and empowered to defend local communities.

“Creation of a conflict resolution and early warning mechanism in collaboration with community leaders, civil society, and security stakeholders. Empowerment of vulnerable communities with self-defense mechanisms and equipment due to the inadequacy of current security forces. Provision of relief, rehabilitation, and resettlement for affected persons and displaced communities within the shortest possible time.

The NBA reaffirmed its commitment to justice and peace in Plateau State. “We shall continue to use all legal and moral platforms available to us to demand justice, accountability, and peace for our people,” Hassan concluded.