Nigeria: Plateau Bans Unauthorised Hisbah Activities, Orders Arrests

What the report says

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has ordered an immediate stop to reported Hisbah-style activities in parts of Jos North Local Government Area, saying the group’s actions were illegal and not authorized by law. The directive, reported by Vanguard and carried by AllAfrica, was issued in Jos and focused on complaints that the group had been intimidating residents and imposing its own rules and restrictions.

The governor also instructed security agencies to identify people involved, investigate their activities, and arrest and prosecute anyone found to have broken the law. He said no person or group has the power to set itself up as an alternative authority in Plateau State, where he said enforcement must remain with recognized institutions operating under the constitution and other laws.

According to the report, Mutfwang said the state would not tolerate parallel structures or self-appointed enforcement bodies, and he urged authorities to gather intelligence and take lawful action. He also said any sponsors or supporters of the alleged unlawful activity could be investigated if evidence showed a violation.

The governor said the move was not aimed at any religion, ethnic group, or community, but at unlawful conduct. The reported action comes amid wider concerns in Nigeria about vigilante-style or informal enforcement groups operating outside official legal frameworks, an issue that can raise tensions around public order, rights, and local governance.