Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia has enacted an executive order prohibiting several activities, including the organization of wakes beyond 10pm and farming on urban plots.
The executive order, signed on Friday, establishes the Department of Public Order within the Ministry of Justice to oversee and enforce government policies related to public order.
Governor Alia, represented by his deputy Sam Odeh at the Government House in Makurdi, stated, “The decision aims to address criminal activities such as kidnappings, murders, and intimidation, which have led to the emergence of local warlords and militia groups.”
The order, which is pursuant to Section 14 sub-section (2) of the 1999 constitution and Section 10 of the Public Order Act, CAP 382 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, outlines numerous prohibitions to enhance public safety and order.
Key prohibitions include:
Organizing wakes and rallies beyond 10 pm.
Farming on empty, unfenced plots or in front of premises, streets, or roadsides within urban areas.
Farming on undeveloped government office areas, quarters, or reserved areas.
Disobedience to traffic rules, child labor, prostitution, and other exploitative activities.
Indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road dividers, open defecation, and urination.
Demanding “marching ground” levies from developers.
Building on water channels or erecting kiosks and shanties on the right of way.
Hawking or selling goods by the roadside.
Governor Alia emphasized, “From the commencement of the order, rallies, wakes, and other forms of public gatherings should not be held beyond the hours of 10 pm in the state.”
Violations of these rules will attract sanctions ranging from fines between N20,000 and N500,000 or imprisonment, depending on the gravity of the offence.
However, exceptions can be made for gatherings beyond 10 pm if a permit is obtained from the Department of Public Order.
To further ensure adherence, the governor announced the formation of a Public Order Advisory Committee tasked with advising the government on policies related to public order and safety.
Additionally, a Public Order Committee will be established in all local government areas to collaborate with the advisory committee and other stakeholders to enforce these laws.
The governor’s statement highlighted the urgency of these measures, noting the ongoing challenges in maintaining public order and the need for stringent enforcement to protect the citizens and maintain peace.
