Plateau insecurity: Lawmakers advocate security posts at interstate boundaries

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Plateau House of Assembly has called on the state government to direct Operation Rainbow, the state security outfit, to establish security outposts at interstate boundaries to tackle the growing insecurity.
The parliament presided over by Speaker Gabriel Dewan, resolved to make the call after a motion of urgent public importance during its plenary on Tuesday.
The lawmakers resolved that a visible security presence at boundaries would prevent potential criminal activities.
According to the legislators, it would enable a quicker response to emergencies, thereby reducing the potential activities of criminal elements and protecting local economies by ensuring safer trade routes.
Eli Bako (APC/Rukuba/Irigwe), who moved the motion, said the current reality of insecurity could be partly traced to illegal activities along the boundaries.
Mr Bako listed the criminal activities as including, but not limited to, smuggling, human trafficking, kidnapping, and banditry. He urged the lawmakers to make legislation to enhance Plateau citizens’ protection.
“Sections 14 (1) and (2b) as well as 17 (2b & c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) state clearly that one of the fundamental objectives of government is to provide security and welfare to its people.
“As representatives of Plateau people, who are also witnesses to the increased security challenges on our boundaries, it is our responsibility to contribute by ensuring that the government establishes security outposts on interstate boundaries,” the legislator stated.
Mr Bako added, “Honourable colleagues, the government should be called upon to use intelligence reports that will enable them to identify critical boundary locations in some Local Government Areas.
“The LGAs include Bassa, Jos North, Riyom, Jos East, Kannam, Wase, Shendam, Quanpan, Langtang South and others that have interstate boundaries, which will serve as evidence that will further guide them in establishing security outposts.
“The government, through Operation Rainbow, should allocate the necessary resources and personnel for the establishment of these outposts and implement infrastructure to support the outposts.”
He called for a regular review and assessment of the effectiveness of the outposts and to make improvements as needed.
Meanwhile, a bill to repeal the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) passed its first reading during the plenary.