The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has joined the growing number of voices condemning the recent killings in Plateau State, calling for justice and the empowerment of communities to defend themselves.
Over 100 people were reportedly killed in recent attacks in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas, sparking nationwide outrage and grief.
Reacting to the tragic incidents, the four branches of the NBA in Plateau State — Jos, Bukuru, Pankshin, and Shendam — made their stance known through the Chairperson of the Jos Branch, Barrister Leah Dagung, during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Dagung strongly opposed the continued practice of transferring arrested suspects to Abuja, where little is heard of their prosecution.
“All perpetrators who are arrested should be prosecuted in the state and not be taken to Abuja where we do not hear anything about them again, indicating that they have been released,” she said.
She also advocated for the creation of State Police across the country, stressing the need for armed personnel to protect communities.
“States should be allowed to establish State Police who will be armed with weapons to defend our communities,” Dagung stated.
In addition, she called on the Federal Government to enable vulnerable communities to defend themselves due to the insufficient number of security personnel.
“The communities be allowed to defend themselves, we therefore demand that the Federal Government empower vulnerable communities with self-defense mechanisms and equipment since the security personnel we have are not enough to secure our lives,” she emphasized.
The NBA also called for urgent relief and rehabilitation support for those affected by the attacks.
“The Nigerian Bar Association on the Plateau will not stand by while our communities are turned into killing fields. We shall continue to use all legal and moral platforms available to us to demand justice, accountability, and peace for our people,” she concluded.
