Penultimate week, the people of the Kakuruk community in Gashish district of Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State heaved a sigh of relief , as they now believe they can go sleep with their eyes closed following the official handing over of a multi-million Naira remodelled mobile police base by the National Hydroelectricity Power Producing Development Area Commission (N-HYPPADEC) to the Plateau State Government.
For the overjoyed community, the recently established mobile police base in Gashish community,, is a significant development in the fight against terrorism in the area.
Gashish community has been under siege by terrorists for years, with reports of killings, destruction of property, and displacement of residents. They strongly believe that the mobile police base will provide a permanent security presence in the area and serve as a deterrent to would-be attackers.
The base , according to them, will also enable security personnel to respond quickly to threats and prevent further attacks. In fact, the establishment of the base is a welcome development for them and the wider Plateau State, as it will improve the security situation and foster peace and stability in the area.
In 2018, more than 15 communities in the Gashish district of Barki Ladi LGA were attacked by suspected terrorists , a murderous attack that left well over 300 persons dead, while more than 200,000 others were displaced.
The development culminated in the visit of the then Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to the state, where the ugly sight he beheld pushed him to promise the sum of N10 billion naira as palliative on behalf of the former President Muhammad Buhari’s led federal government to enable the victims to rebuild their destroyed homes.
The VP categorically stated then that part of the money would be used to construct a 200- capacity Mobile Police Barrack to ensure effective policing of the flashpoint.
Sadly, the promise made by the VP was not fulfilled during President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, which ended in 2023.
LEADERSHIP Weekend reports that the construction of the mobile police base was initiated after a needs assessment was conducted by N-HYPPADEC, which identified the need for a permanent security post to prevent further attacks by enemies of the state.
For some security experts, the establishment of the Mobile police base is a game changer in recalibrating the security architecture of not only Gashish but also the entire Barkin Ladi local government and Plateau State at large.
They firmly believe that bringing law enforcement agents closer to the people amounts to tackling security threats headlong with speed and efficiency.
At the handing over ceremony, the managing director, National Hydroelectricity Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYYPADEC), Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, said 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 contontribution towards ensuring the safety of lives and property in the community and Plateau State in general.
He noted that , “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.
Earlier, Plateau State 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
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, who inaugurated the over ₦469 million completed project 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.
He said, “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.”
Also, the Gbong Gwom Jos and chairman, PLateau State Joint Traditional Council of Chiefs and Emirs, His Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba, in his remarks at the occasion lauded the efforts of the MD of N-HYPPADEC and his management team for ensuring the completion of the project .
According to the revered traditional ruler, the agrarian communities in Gashish district have experienced security challenges for a very long time. He appealed to the people not to use religion as a tool for violence but rather as a tool for salvation of mankind.
The traditional ruler who commended N-HYPPADEC for completing the good job they have started saying the gesture will go along to checkmate the activities of the enemies of progress who did not mean well for the people of the State.
On his part, former Governor of Plateau State and Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District Simon Lalong in his address said the efforts to put an end to incessant attacks on people of Barkin Ladi local government and other areas in the state which commenced during his term as governor has come to fulfillment with the commissioning of the Mobile Police Base in Gashish.
According to him, the gesture was a major step towards ensuring that the unfortunate Gashish attacks that killed over 300 people in 2018 among others does not occur again.
Senator Lalong noted that this very important project suffered delays due to many factors, including funding which was finally resolved with the intervention of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC).