By Momodu Favour

Legal practitioners under the Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum have called for stricter enforcement and tougher sanctions against violators of the ban on commercial motorcycles in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis, following a deadly attack in Angwan Rukuba community of Jos North Local Government Area.

The demand comes in the wake of Sunday’s violent assault, where suspected gunmen reportedly killed at least 28 residents.

According to reports, the attackers arrived on motorcycles and fled the scene immediately after carrying out the killings, raising fresh concerns about the continued disregard for the state’s restriction on motorcycle operations.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the forum’s Chairman, Ledak D. Dafer, and Secretary, Dr. D.N. Dashe, condemned the incident in strong terms, describing it as a “dastardly and mindless killing of defenceless residents.”

The lawyers urged the Plateau State Government to take immediate steps to identify, arrest, and prosecute not only the perpetrators but also any individuals suspected of sponsoring the attack. They stressed that justice must be served to deter future acts of violence in the state.

They further called for a thorough investigation into what they described as a delayed response by security agencies, noting that police formations were located in close proximity to the scene of the attack. According to the forum, the slow reaction raises critical questions about the efficiency and preparedness of security operatives in emergency situations.

“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 read.

Reiterating their stance on public safety, the forum emphasized the need for the government to enforce, without exception, the existing ban on commercial motorcycles across the Jos-Bukuru axis. They argued that the continued use of motorcycles, particularly by criminal elements, poses a serious security threat and undermines efforts to restore peace in the region.

The attack has once again spotlighted the fragile security situation in Plateau State, with residents calling for decisive action to prevent further bloodshed and ensure lasting stability.