Insecurity: Plateau LG Chairmen Plan Security Outfits To Complement Conventional Agencies

The 17 local government area chairmen in Plateau State have resolved to establish security outfits in their respective councils to complement conventional security agencies in tackling persistent killings and other security challenges across the state.

The commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Usman Ephraim Gar, disclosed this at a press conference in Jos, saying the chairmen had agreed to adopt the Wase local government area initiative as a model to strengthen grassroots security.

Flanked by the 17 council chairmen, Gar said, “The decision followed the successful training and formal registration of a community-based security outfit designed to improve surveillance, intelligence gathering and response to criminal activities.”

“They have all agreed to take a cue to have a formal security outfit that will help our conventional security agencies combat crimes within our society,” he said.

The commissioner explained that, “The security personnel in Wase had undergone three months of training conducted by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).”

According to him, “Formal registration of the outfits would facilitate information dissemination and improve collaboration between local security personnel and conventional security agencies.”

Citing Wase Local Government Area as an example of efforts by council chairmen to strengthen grassroots security, Gar said, “The council chairman, Hon. Dr Hamisu Mohammed Anani, recently organised a passing-out parade for 140 officers of the Wase Rock Security Network Limited.”

“The ceremony also featured the donation of 25 patrol motorcycles and two Toyota Hilux vehicles to enhance the mobility, operational capacity and rapid response of the personnel across communities in the area.”

He added that, “The outfit was formally inaugurated by the Plateau State Command of the NSCDC following a training programme.”

Regarding allegations of interference in local government finances, the commissioner defended Governor Caleb Mutfwang, insisting that “the governor has never dictated how the councils should utilise their allocations.”

“His Excellency, the governor, has never in any way interfered or demanded from us, or directed the local government chairmen on what to do with their resources,” he said.

Gar explained that the projects being executed by local government councils, including the establishment of radio and television stations and the construction of large-capacity halls, demonstrate their ability to utilise their resources.

“You know the cost of having a radio station and a functional television station. You also know the cost of building a 1,500-capacity hall,” he said.

The commissioner, however, called for an improved revenue-sharing formula for local governments, saying, “We should be calling for an improvement in the sharing formula for local governments so that they can execute more meaningful projects that have a direct bearing on our various communities.”