Plateau: Mutfwang inaugurates 14-member advisory committee on state police

From Jude Owuamanam, Jos

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has inaugurated a 14-member State Advisory Committee on State Police as part of efforts to strengthen the security architecture of the state.

Mutfwang explained that the initiative followed the recent declaration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the need to deepen and strengthen Nigeria’s internal security framework through reforms that would enhance effective policing across the country.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the governor said the committee is expected to undertake a comprehensive review of the concept of State Police within Nigeria’s federal structure and provide well-informed recommendations that will meaningfully contribute to ongoing national policy deliberations on the subject.

He emphasised that the committee’s work will help guide Plateau State in developing a pragmatic and workable framework that aligns with constitutional provisions, national security priorities and the peculiar security realities of the state.

The committee comprises distinguished security experts, scholars and public policy practitioners as follows:

i. DIG Habila Joshak (Rtd) — Chairman
ii. Brig. Gen. Gakji Shipi (Retd) — Member
iii. AIG Bashir Makama (Retd) — Member
iv. Alh. Ibrahim Sale Hassan — Member
v. Prof. Jamila Nasir — Member
vi. CP Gyang Chollom (Retd) — Member
vii. AIG Dorothy Gimba (Retd) — Member
viii. Prof. Chris Kwaja — Member
ix. Prof. Ezekiel Best — Member
x. Mr Benjamin Osawe — Member
xi. Barr. Timothy Parlong — Member
xii. Hajiya Aishatu Damulak — Member
xiii. Alh. Isiyaku Inuwa Dananacha — Member
xiv. Dr Julie Sanda, Director-General, Plateau State Peace Building Agency — Secretary

The committee will operate under the following terms of reference:

i. Examine the constitutional, legal and institutional frameworks governing policing in Nigeria and assess their implications for the establishment of state police.

ii. Review existing national policy proposals, debates and recommendations relating to state police and determine their relevance to Plateau State.

iii. Assess the prevailing security challenges facing Plateau State and evaluate the potential role of state police in addressing them.

iv. Conduct a feasibility study on the establishment, structure and operational viability of a Plateau State Police Service.

v. Recommend an appropriate institutional and operational framework for State Police, including command structure, recruitment, training, discipline and professional standards.

vi. Advise on mechanisms for effective cooperation and coordination between state police and federal security agencies, as well as other relevant institutions.

Responding on behalf of the committee, the chairman, DIG Habila Joshak (Rtd), expressed appreciation to the governor for the confidence reposed in them and assured that the committee would discharge its mandate diligently in the interest of peace, security and sustainable development in Plateau State.