Plateau community gets mobile force base to boost security

The Federal Government has redeemed its pledge to establish a mobile police base in the Gashish community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

PUNCH reports that gunmen had killed over 200 persons and destroyed properties worth millions of naira after they attacked the community in 2018, a development which made the federal government promise the people a mobile police unit to forestall further attacks on them

However, the project, which the government initiated through the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYYPADEC), had been stalled for the past six years until last Thursday when the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, inaugurated the completed project.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Saturday, Akume commended N-HYYPADEC for the initiative and expressed optimism that the project would further enhance the security of lives and property in the state.

The SGF, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Simeon Tyongu, assured Nigerians that the Tinubu-led administration would continue to initiate programmes and policies that would create a positive impact in their lives.

”I am immensely delighted to acknowledge and commend the N-HYPPADEC for initiating and successfully executing this very important project.

”This government will continue to initiate impactful projects and programmes that will serve the betterment of our power-producing communities and Nigerians in general,” he said.

Earlier, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Mr Samuel Jatau, and former Governor Simon Lalong, thanked N-HYYPADEC for the gesture.

Mutfwang said that the state government had taken various steps toward ensuring the safety of the lives and property of all citizens of the state.

”As a government, we have put modalities on the ground toward ensuring that all displaced persons return to their ancestral homes.

”It is our strong belief that this gesture will complement our efforts toward the safety of our people,” he said.

The governor promised continuous support for the security agencies in their bid toward a peaceful Plateau

In a welcome remark, the Managing Director of N-HYYPADEC, Abubakar Yelwa, said that the project is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility to all power-producing communities in the country.

He explained that the gesture was part of its modest contribution toward ensuring the safety of lives and property in the community and Plateau in general.

”Barikin Ladi has faced numerous inter and intra-communal conflicts, underscoring the need for enhanced police presence and infrastructure to address security challenges effectively.

”Our mission to remodel and reconstruct the police barracks in Kakuruk was born out of a genuine concern for the well-being and operational efficiency of our dedicated police officers serving in this region.

”Following a comprehensive Needs Assessment exercise conducted by the Federal Government through N-HYPPADEC, the deplorable condition of the police barracks in Barikin Ladi was distressingly evident.

” It became imperative to renovate and upgrade the base to provide a conducive living and working environment for our law enforcement officers, in order to enable them to carry out their duties effectively and ensure the safety of the community,” he said.

Yelwa explained that the project has an administrative block, commandant’s residence, multipurpose hall, officers’ offices and armoury.

He added that other components of the project include, senior officers’ quarters, adding that new building sites have been developed, including a quarter for junior personnel, a quarter guard, a parade ground, four security watch towers, and essential water drainage systems, among others.