Insecurity: PLHA calls for Establishment of Security Outposts on Inter-state Boundaries

The Plateau State House of Assembly has called on the Plateau State Government to direct the state owned security outfit, known as Operation Rainbow to establish modern security outposts on inter-state boundaries to curb the incessant security challenges in the state.

This was parts of prayers on a motion moved at the floor of the House by member representing Rukuba/Irigwe state constituency, Hon. Eli Bako during plenary on Tuesday at the Old Government House, Rayfield, the temporary sitting venue of the 10th Assembly.

Moving the motion with the title “A call on the Plateau State Government to direct Operation Rainbow to establish security outpost in Plateau State boundaries with history of high security risk”, Hon. Eli said security presence at the boundaries would act as a strong deterrent against potential criminal activities.

He said “The provision of section 14 (1) and (2) as well as 17 (2b&c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) states clearly that one of the fundamental objectives of Government is to provide security and welfare to its people, maintain the sanctity and dignity of the human person.”

He called on his colleagues to support the motion as according to him, the current insecurity in the state could partly be traced to illegal activities along boundaries which includes smuggling, human trafficking, kidnapping and banditry among others.

Mover of the motion called on the state government to allocate necessary resources and personnel to Operation Rainbow for the purpose of establishing the outpost. He added with a call to support the security outfit with modern security equipment and transportation facilities.

While urging the government to consider the motion serious and take prompt action, Hon. Eli further called on the government to ensure regular review and assessment of the effectiveness of the outpost and make improvements where necessary.

Contributing on the motion, member representing Mangu South Hon. Matthew Kwarpo said there is need for the government to provide adequate security surveillance in the state using Agro Rangers.

Hon. Nancwat Bendel of Langtang South Constituency, said the insecurity is within them and urged local government authorities to take it as one of their primary responsibilities to provide security to the people at the grassroot by providing maximum support to securities in their domains.

Also, member representing Langtang North North, Hon. Abel Nansak added that establishing the security outpost in all prompt areas will help in quick response in times of security challenge.

Other members who contributed to the motion were Hon. Joseph Gokum of Kanke, Hon. Sylvester Walanko of Bokkos and Hon. Abdul Yanga of Mangu East where they all supported the call.

Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Dewan mentioned the prayers which includes call on the government to use quality reports that will enable them identify critical boundary locations across the local government, place surveillance cameras at the boundaries as well as effective use of Agro Rangers to curb the insecurity.

Part of the prayers was a call on local government council Chairmen to provide logistics for Securities in their respective local government and in collaboration with traditional Institution and all stakeholders within their domain as he directed Clerk of the house to make clean copy and submit the government.

During the plenary, a bill for a law to repeal the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2016 and provide for institutional and legal framework for the general conduct of election into the positions of Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Councillor of the Local Government Council in the state, and for related matters, 2024, by the House majority leader passed first reading.