Plateau JNI denies establishment of Hisbah

The Plateau State chapter of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has categorically denied reports that a Muslim organization has established a religious and moral enforcement group under the Hisbah Corps in the Jos North Local Government Area. This denial came after widespread outrage over allegations of intimidation, harassment, extortion, and the imposition of unauthorized rules and restrictions on residents in the affected areas.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang also rejected the establishment of the Hisbah group and instructed security agencies to halt its activities, directing them to identify and investigate the individuals involved. Dr Salim Musa Umar, the state secretary of JNI, confirmed through a statement that they were unaware of any Islamic organization planning to establish the Hisbah Corps in Plateau State.

The controversy, Umar explained, began on social media platforms where individuals, possibly utilizing artificial intelligence-generated images, falsely claimed the formation of a Hisbah organization in Jos North. Umar stressed that for such an organization to be legally established, enabling legislation must be passed by the State House of Assembly, which has yet to occur.

He assured the public that no Islamic organization in Plateau has made any such claims or is considering it. Umar appealed to social media users to desist from creating or spreading misleading content that could cause confusion and undermine peaceful coexistence in the state.