By MARiE-THERESE NANLONG, Jos

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has urged security agencies to be up and doing in apprehending and prosecuting criminals that attack communities in the State saying he no longer wants to hear of unknown gunmen in the State.

The governor stated this on Monday when he commissioned security patrol vehicles and special motorcycles at the new Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos.

He observed that while everything is being done to ensure lasting peace in the State, crises merchants are restless and trying various methods to breach the peace hence the need to strengthen the security agencies to go after them.

His words, “It is with a tremendous joy that I welcome the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Baba, Senior Heads of Military and Para-military organisations and distinguished guests to the commissioning of security patrol vehicles and special security motorcycles purchased by the State Government. This is a very significant event because Peace and Security has remained the key priority of the Rescue Administration. Our belief is that security is the baseline for attaining development in any society.

“However, we have also realised that while we consolidate on the peace, the crises merchants are not sleeping as their source of business has been obstructed due to the actions we have put in place to restore stability. Therefore, they are restless and trying various methods to breach the peace. As I commend the security agencies for doing their best to tackle the cases of such attacks and other criminal activities, I have also expressed deep concern over the inability to prevent such killings or arrest the perpetrators in some cases. I have since told the police and other security agencies that I do not want to hear unknown gunmen again in Plateau State!

“People who come into communities and kill innocent people in their sleep or when they are going about their legitimate businesses cannot be said to be spirits, and must not be allowed to go free. All we need is intelligence gathering, quick intervention and continuous surveillance. Security agencies must be assisted with the information to hunt down these merchants of evil and bring them to justice. Traditional rulers have equally been warned that they will be held responsible if they fail to give information on who is behind such attacks under their jurisdictions.”

Lalong also noted that the commissioning of “these 50 patrol vehicles and 200 security motorcycles, they will definitely go a long way in resolving some of the logistics challenges they face,” as “These vehicles will be equipped with communication gadgets to enhance rapid response and continuous surveillance, while the special security motorcycles will enable the security agencies access remote locations which criminals use as hideouts to launch attacks and retreat to.”

He warned against the misuse of the vehicles and motorcycles by those that will be entrusted with them stressing, “We expect a good maintenance culture and accountable usage. We will not accept a situation where the vehicles are turned into private use. Anytime we see the cars outside Plateau without authorization or justifiable cause, we will seize them on the spot and ensure the defaulting personnel are appropriately sanctioned.”

He reminded the IGP of some issues that still remain unresolved such as the establishment of the Mobile Police Barracks in Gashish which was directed by the Federal Government, adding, “While the State Government is ever ready to play its role in the actualization of the project, it still remains a huge concern that the promise of the Federal Government is yet to be fulfilled. We urge the IGP to look into this.”

Responding, IGP Baba commended the State government for the support to the security agencies saying such would boost their capacity in tackling crimes.

He later proceeded to the State Police headquarters where he interacted with officers and men of the Command.

Diverse challenges facing the Command were laid before him and he promised to look into them with a view to addressing them. (Vanguard)

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