The Inspector-General of Police(IGP), Usman Baba, on Monday inaugurated 50 Hilux vehicles and 200 motorcycles, procured by Plateau Government to curb insecurity in the state.
Inaugurating the vehicles in Jos, Baba thanked Gov. Simon Lalong for enhancing the operational capacity of all security agencies in the state to ensure the safety of lives and property.
He said that the security of Plateau was threatened by attacks of bandits, herders and other criminal elements, adding that the cases of arms trafficking and proliferation of illegal firearms had further worsened the situation.
He said a special police operation team recently arrested a 7-man criminal syndicate with expertise in local fabrication of AK-47 whom were supplying firearms to bandits in Plateau and other states.
The IGP said the criminal gang whose firearms manufacturer is based in Plateau, sent a clear indication of the need to beef up security in the state.
He said the donation of the vehicles to the security agencies would encourage their personnel to stabilise internal security.
“This initiative of his Excellency would undoubtedly motivate security personnel to operate optimally and remain steps ahead of criminal elements in the battle to reassure citizens of security and safety in Plateau,” he said.
Baba commended Gov. Lalong for supporting the Federal Government’s efforts at combating security in the state, especially in the current crucial period when Nigeria was experiencing security challenges .
He said the event further advanced the need for partnership in supporting security agencies with logistics and tools, by political actors,corporate agencies and individuals to combat crime.
He assured the governor that his sacrifice of procuring the items in spite of dwindling resources, was a challenge for the beneficiaries of the items to discharge their duties effectively and diligently.
” I assure that the huge investment will not be in vain and I assure that we shall not fail you,” the IGP said.
In his remarks, Lalong said that he was committed to bringing down the level of insecurity in the state through his establishment of the Plateau Peace Building Agency and its Security Surveillance Centre at Dutse Uku, Jos-Jarawa.
He said 529 Community Police Constables were trained and deployed to the 17 local government areas of the state, as part of the implementation processes of community policing
He said the procured vehicles would be equipped with communication gadgets to enhance rapid response and continuous surveillance, explaining that the motorcycles would ensure access to remote locations used as hideouts by criminals.
” There is no more hiding place for criminals in Plateau,” the governor said .
He warned against the misuse of the vehicles by the beneficiaries, saying they were not for private or political use
“We expect a good maintenance culture and accountable usage of the vehicles,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Alexander Barunde, the Plateau Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), said the vehicles would be properly utilised to maintain peace and order in the state.(NAN)
