Plateau Assembly demands urgent security intervention over killings

Plateau State House of Assembly. Photo: Plateau Assembly

The Plateau State House of Assembly has called for immediate emergency security intervention in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area following recent attacks on communities in the area.

The lawmakers also demanded the full occupation of the Mobile Police Barracks in Gashish and urged the provision of urgent infrastructure repairs and humanitarian assistance to communities affected by the attacks.

The Assembly called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to engage President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Ridwan Disu, to facilitate the intervention.

The resolution followed a Notice of Motion sponsored by Hon. Dickson Chollom and seconded by Hon. Abel Nansak, representing Langtang North-North Constituency, which was adopted during plenary on Wednesday.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Philip Eplong, and made available to journalists in Jos on Thursday.

The statement reads in part, “In adopting the prayers of the motion, the Assembly called for urgent measures to strengthen security presence and protect communities affected by the security situation in Barkin Ladi.”

Assembly considers State Police Bill

Meanwhile, the House has commenced consideration of a Bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police Services and related matters.

The development followed a communication from the National Assembly on the proposed constitutional amendment, which was forwarded to the House through Governor Mutfwang.

“The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Joseph Gokum, moved the motion for consideration of the State Police Bill, which was seconded by Hon. Matthew Sylvanus Kwarpo, member representing Mangu South State Constituency,” the statement said.

Speaker of the House, Naanlong Daniel, who read the communication, directed the Clerk to read the Bill for the first time and assured that lawmakers would expedite its consideration.

Daniel said the proposed State Police Service would complement the Nigeria Police Force and strengthen security coordination at the state and community levels.

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He also stressed the need for effective coordination between the Nigeria Police Force and any State Police Services that may be established to improve security, protect lives and property, and enhance responses to security challenges.

The Assembly also commenced consideration of several other bills during the sitting.

One of them seeks to repeal and re-enact the College of Education, Gindiri Law, 1988 and establish the Plateau State College of Education, Gindiri, with provisions covering its governance, administration, academic mandate and funding.

The Bill, sponsored by Gokum and seconded by Hon. Joseph Bukar, representing Shendam Constituency, was read for the first time.

Another Bill seeks to establish the Plateau State Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment as a network of centres for the screening and treatment of breast, cervical, prostate and other cancers.

The legislation, sponsored by Bukar, attracted contributions from Hon. Theodore Maiyaki, Kwarpo, Hon. Owen Dagogot, Hon. Daniel Nanbol-Listick and Hon. Yusuf Chollom, who supported the proposal.

Dagogot said the Bill aligned with efforts to address the cancer burden and improve access to healthcare, adding that its implementation would directly affect the lives of residents.

Speaker Daniel described the proposal as timely, noting the need to expand access to cancer screening and treatment facilities. He said the proposed institute would provide hope for indigent residents of Plateau State and beyond.

The Bill was subsequently read for the second time and referred to the Committee on Health for further legislative action.

The House also considered a Bill seeking to establish the Plateau State Tourism Corporation and related matters. Sponsored by Dagogot and seconded by Hon. Adamu Aliyu, representing Jos North-North Constituency, the Bill was read for the first time.

The Assembly further received a Notice of Motion by Nanbol-Listick, representing Langtang North-Central Constituency, commending Tinubu and Governor Mutfwang on the establishment of an Army Brigade in Langtang North Local Government Area and other new battalions in Plateau state.