By Ive Gulu
Stakeholders at a workshop on security have recommended a holistic review of the law governing the operation rainbow security outfit in Plateau State.
The workshop by the kukah centre is part of the strengthening peace and resilience in Nigeria, SPRING programme, an initiative of the united kingdom foreign and commonwealth development office FCDO, being implemented by tetratech international development, and attracted participants including civil societies, security agencies and the traditional institution.
Growing insecurity in parts of the country has heightened calls for establishment of more security agencies by those who say the conventional architecture was not sufficient in tracking the challenges.
Tackling this menace has therefore led to the creation of quasi security outfits in different parts of the country including the operation rainbow in Plateau state.
In his presentation at the workshop, A legal and policy expert, John Opke suggested the need to review various aspect of the law governing operation rainbow including it’s operational and financial independence , equipment codification, saying it will further it’s efficiency.
“Operation rainbow is established as a an auxiliary outfit to the mainstream security outfits. There has to be a constitutional arrangement that will accommodate the state police because of the clear limitations of section 214 of the constitution “.
Also speaking, special envoy to the plateau state Governor on peace and security, professor Chris kwaja identified the lack of a national framework for state security outfits among challenges that hinder their effectiveness.
He recommended a revisiting of the national conference report regarding security with a view to implementing it.
“The conversation about state police must recognise six major actors, first is the president’s body own language. Is it an emotional or mere policy orientated reflection. The second is the national assembly, the thirds is individual mindset of individual governors, fourth, the Governors forum. The fifth is the Regional groupings. and the last is the report of the 2014 national conference”.
In a goodwill message the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Gyang Buba who made a case for state police, advocated the posting of persons with knowledge of their operational terrain.
“I’ve heard the president say he is for state police, I’ve heard the national assembly too say so, but it’s one thing to say and another thing to do. I don’t know if there’s anyone who knows what’s happening“
Earlier in an opening remark, the technical Director of the kukah centre, Mr Saka Azimazi said the programme which is also being implemented in other parts of the country is aimed at strengthening non conventional security outfits for effectiveness.
“Our interest is one that cuts across the whole nation not just limited to plateau alone, what we have presented is a very small view . Our purpose is that as we are gathered here you know plateau state more than we do“
The workshop had as theme, improving community security initiative for accountable services delivery.
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