The Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum has called for stricter penalties against commercial motorcycle operators who violate the ban on their activities within the Jos-Bukuru Metropolis in Plateau State.
The call followed Sunday’s deadly attack on the Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area, where gunmen reportedly killed 28 residents.
It was gathered that the attackers arrived in the community on motorcycles before fleeing the area after carrying out the assault.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the forum’s Chairman, Ledak D. Dafer and Secretary, Dr. D.N. Dashe, strongly condemned the killings and urged the state government to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The lawyers called on the government to identify, arrest and prosecute the attackers and anyone found to have sponsored the assault.
They also demanded an investigation into what they described as a delayed response by the police, noting that security formations were located close to the scene of the incident.
“The Plateau Lawyers Bar forum has found it imperative to: Unequivocally condemn the dastardly and mindless killings of defenceless residents of Angwan Rukuba in Jos, Plateau State, by armed criminals,” the statement said.
The forum urged the Plateau State Government to strictly enforce the existing ban on commercial motorcycles across the Jos-Bukuru metropolis without exception.
To discourage further violations, the group recommended reviewing the existing law to impose harsher punishments for offenders.
Among the proposals put forward were the seizure and destruction of motorcycles used to violate the ban, the imposition of fines and possible jail terms for repeat offenders.
The lawyers also suggested the introduction of a comprehensive numbering and identification system for motorcycles across local government areas to improve monitoring.
In addition, the forum called for the strengthening of Operation Rainbow, a state-backed security outfit, through improved equipment and increased manpower to enhance community protection.
They further urged the state government to deploy solar-powered CCTV cameras at strategic points within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis to aid surveillance and intelligence gathering.
The statement read, “We call on the Plateau Government to match words with action by ensuring that the perpetrators of this despicable onslaught and their sponsors are identified, arrested and dealt with according to the law. Especially when the assailants, after the onslaught, were seen moving into the Dogon Dutse Area.”
The lawyers also recommended the removal of illegal motor parks and roadside trading within the metropolis, as well as a ban on street hawking and begging, which they said could contribute to security concerns.
