Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau has explained the reason why Israelis were called upon to train the Special Task Force on Peace and Security known as an arm of Operation Rainbow which is the state security outfit. He also defended the rationale behind establishing the security outfit.

Jang who was speaking on Friday at the graduation of trainees of the outfit said the setting up became necessary as a result of the increase of insurgency in the state which has threatened peace and development. He called on the graduates to use the self-defence and response techniques learnt in the training during emergency situations.

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau has explained the reason why Israelis were called upon to train the Special Task Force on Peace and Security known as an arm of Operation Rainbow which is the state security outfit. He also defended the rationale behind establishing the security outfit.

Jang who was speaking on Friday at the graduation of trainees of the outfit said the setting up became necessary as a result of the increase of insurgency in the state which has threatened peace and development. He called on the graduates to use the self-defence and response techniques learnt in the training during emergency situations.

The Governor said “There is no doubt that the rate of violent crimes, terrorist attacks as well as natural catastrophes have increased. Nigerians have been experiencing the trauma of repeated violent attacks and bloodshed. Plateau State, in particular, has been at the centre of communal clashes. We have been through a series of crises, which led to senseless violence and bloodshed in recent times. Up till this moment, the rural communities are still attacked occasionally, while homes, farms and other valuables are burnt and destroyed”.

He said that when the establishment of the security outfit got the approval of President Goodluck Jonathan, many expected peace and normalcy to be restored in the state. The Governor added “as neighbourhood watch operatives, you are part of the arm through which Operation Rainbow hopes to extend its frontiers to every nook and cranny of the state. I fully support the vision and proposals, which led to your recruitment. I also identify with the ambitious training programmes for members”.

Jang stated that the state has spent a huge part of its resources to provide the best training and prepare them as part of the state’s peace and security task force while calling on them to put the skills acquired to work in their various communities.

The Co-ordinator of the security outfit, Air Vice Marshal Bala Danbaba (rtd) in his remark assured people that the outfit was not set up to witch hunt adversaries of the Jang administration. He said the outfit was set up as a result of the security challenge in the state.

The training which was managed by the International Security Academy (ISA) of Israel saw one thousand persons completing the course and graduating.

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The reasons why Israelis trained Plateau state security taskforce – Jang