By Golok Nanmwa,Jos

Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong on friday commissioned the state security outfit operation rainbow security post and surveillance center at Dutse Uku in Jos North local government area of the state .

Speaking at the occasion Lalong said it is another great step in the consolidation of the peace and security of our dear State which is anchored on proactivity and a community engagement approach in crime detection and prevention.

” We are holding this event at a time that we are marking our fifth year in office and boldly confirming to the world that we have made giant strides in restoring peace in Plateau State and in particular, in hot spots like this which were in the past embroiled in crises.”

He said that the Security Outpost and Surveillance Tower is designed to detect, prevent and minimize crime within the Dutse Uku, Jos Jarawa and the Jos general area by providing a grassroots-based intelligence gathering system to assist security agencies in responding effectively to distress calls within the Jos Metropolis.

“This project which was approved in January this year has nine offices; a dialogue and conference hall; Information Technology Infrastructure with CCTV Platform; Dome Camera with 1.5 kilometre range that gives day and night visuals of one thousand five hundred metre perimeter and a solar powered inverter that can provide power for about 12 hours a day. “

The Governor also said that there is also an Armoured Personnel Carrier and 2 patrol vehicles equipped with security gadgets which are stationed permanently for the purpose of rapid response and actionable engagement in crime prevention.

“There is no doubt that this initiative will further boost confidence among the people and further strengthen the capacity of the security agencies to deal with any threat to the lives of the people within this area and beyond.”

“That is why we are replicating this Security Outpost and Surveillance Tower in other areas across the State to firm up our consolidation of peace and security. As we depart this occasion, I shall be laying the foundation for another outpost at Bauchi Road, still in Jos North. Others will continue up to the Local Government Areas.

He said that this project should be seen from the wider context of reinvigorating the Operation Rainbow and setting the tone for the implementation of Community Policing in our State because of our conviction that it is the best way to go in addressing current and emerging security challenges.

” Although the crises of the past that devastated our State has been largely curtailed, we cannot rest on our oars because the merchants of violence are always seeking ways to take us back to the dark days and benefit from the confusion. We cannot allow that to happen which is why we must be ahead of the criminals.”

In recent times, we have seen the attempts by some criminals to instill fear among the people through kidnappings, robberies, cultism, rape and banditry. With this Security Outpost and Surveillance Tower, we will be able to not only identify them within the communities, but also move against them before they commit crimes.

Added to this is the fact that the permanent presence of security personnel and representatives of the community will ensure that the whole area is under surveillance and any threat to peace is quickly detected and analyzed with a view to diffusing any tension.”
We expect that the process of reconciliation, mutual understanding among people of different backgrounds within this area will continue through the use of facilities in this outpost, which will go a long way in engendering lasting peace in the area and the State as a whole.
” When we achieve this, conventional security agencies such as the Police, State Security Service, the Military, Civil Defence and related agencies will be more focused on responding to emergencies and general enforcement of law and order.

As a government, we have continued to put peace and security at the top of our agenda because it forms the bedrock on which other development efforts can be built. We are happy that our efforts in the past five years have yielded positive results.

” The world is paying attention and embracing the efforts we have made towards restoring normalcy to Plateau State which has resulted in more investors coming into the State while people who left our State because of the ugly events of the past are coming back.

This explains why early this year, Daily Independent Newspapers in Lagos gave me the Award of Best Governor for Peace and Security 2019 in affirmation of our collective strides. Like I said during that event, it is an award for all the citizens of Plateau State.

We should always bear in mind that there is no way that peace can be legislated or forced on people. Only a genuine desire to cultivate and nurture peace can lead to lasting peace in any society.

For those who are bent on disrupting the peace of our State and partaking in crime and criminality, my advice is that you should have a rethink because we are entering an era where the whole community will be involved in security affairs like never before. 

The last time I came on inspection here, I climbed up to the tower and could see almost all parts of the City of Jos. This should tell those who are criminally minded that I will be watching you and send the security agencies to track you down and get you arrested. There will not be a hiding place for you. A word is enough for the wise.

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Gov. Lalong Commissions Operation Rainbow Security Outpost, surveillance Center