by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
JOS – About 600 Neighborhood Watch Operatives have been inaugurated by the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, in his commitment to tackle the insecurity in Plateau State.
The state security outfit, which is saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace in the hinterlands, is codenamed, “Operation Rainbow.”
The governor was represented by his Deputy, Josephine Piyo, who stated that, the revitalization of the state security outfit was part of the administration’s effort to ensure the security of lives and property.
“It is my pleasure to be here for the passing out parade of the Neighborhood Watch Operatives of the Operation Rainbow. Today, we are witnessing the passing out of a crop of 600 gallant operatives, who were carefully selected out of the numerous citizens of Plateau State.”
He commended the Coordinator of the Operation Rainbow, the Special Adviser on Security, Chief Security Officer and other security agencies, saying, “who within this short period have transformed, tutored and nurtured these young operatives to the end products, which we see before us today.”
According to him, “From the reports I have received and the parade we witnessed today, there is ample evidence that these soon-to-be Gallant Security Officials have been put through the mills and have come out refined and ready to contribute their quota to the state’s effort to securing lives and property in our dear state.”
Governor Mutfwang further stated that the revitalization of the outfit was timely, as it was coming when the state was at a critical period and needed consolidation on the gains of tackling security challenges that have ravaged the state for years.
He urged the operatives to put in their best in securing local communities by reporting early warning signs for swift security intervention, adding that it is the state’s desire to create a conducive working atmosphere for every citizen to carry out their lawful business.
He cautioned the operatives and stated that his administration would not allow indiscipline and unprofessional conduct, and must treat matters of security and safeguarding the lives and properties of citizens with utmost importance.
He equally commended the NSCDC for training and accommodating the operatives and all other instructors from different security agencies for their input in training the young men and women.
The governor expressed his sincere appreciation to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his support to State-owned security outfits in the country, which he said has helped to beef-up the strength of security and enhanced capacity to confront diverse security challenges faced by states.
Earlier, the Coordinator, Operation Rainbow, AIG Bashir Dabup Makama (rtd), in a remark said that the establishment, which was passed by the Plateau State House of Assembly, cited as “PLATEAU STATE RAINBOW AND NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH LAW 2012” and assented to on 20th March, 2013, was set up to perform community policing duties by operatives in their various localities.
He stated that the modus operandi of the outfit was also to provide accurate and timely information on security situations in all wards, which are gathered and shared with appropriate security agencies, including the Nigerian Police, for necessary proactive measures to be taken.
He appreciated the Caleb Mutfwang administration for revitalizing the moribund security outfit, promising to strengthen the security network in the state for sustainable peace, security and economic development.
He added that the operatives would ensure an enduring peace and security of lives and property in the state through the process of proper articulation and development of all-embracing measures to adequately address, contain and nip in the bud, within the norms of democracy and rule of law, issues that could potentially lead to crisis.
Makama revealed that, other batches of operatives would soon be recruited and trained to augment the numbers on ground, and that concerted efforts are being made to activate the Neighborhood Watch in all the State’s 17 LGAs.