Plateau equips security agencies with 100 motorcycles for farmer protection

The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, on Thursday, distributed 100 military-grade motorcycles to security agencies in the state.

During the handover ceremony at the Government House in Jos, the governor stated that the initiative aims to enable security personnel to patrol troubled communities and safeguard farmers and their crops across the state.

The governor emphasised that the motorcycles are specifically for accessing rural areas with difficult terrain, often inaccessible by car, to address security challenges.
He said that the motorcycles are not to be seen in urban areas but are strictly for rural patrols.

He noted that his administration has made significant investments in technology to tackle the security situation in the state and promised that more logistical support would be provided to the security agencies, whom he praised for their commendable work in the state.

He said, “We have invested substantial resources in technology, and we now have the capacity to monitor every nook and cranny of Plateau State. Our goal is to prepare the ground for effective responses, considering our terrain is full of plateaus, where vehicles and even ordinary motorcycles cannot go.

“This first batch of motorcycles will be used for round-the-clock surveillance to ensure our security forces provide protection for our farmers. We are focusing initially on areas under threat, including parts of the Central and Northern Zones.

“Let me emphasise this: the Chief Security Officer to the Governor is authorised to seize any of these motorcycles if they are found in towns. They are meant for rural areas, not for city riding. We want the motorcycles to be properly deployed to where they are needed, not for personal use but for collective benefit. This is just the beginning.”

The Secretary to the Government of Plateau State, Arch Samuel Jatau, earlier explained that the 100 military-grade motorcycles would be distributed among various security agencies for patrol across the state.

He said, “Thirty of the motorcycles are allocated to the military, along with 130 raincoats and 130 rain boots. The Nigerian Police Force will receive five motorcycles, 130 raincoats, and 130 rain boots. NSCDC will receive 30 motorcycles, 60 raincoats, and 60 rain boots. DSS will receive five motorcycles, 20 raincoats, and 20 rain boots.

Operation Rainbow will receive five motorcycles, 50 raincoats, and 50 rain boots.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service will receive three motorcycles, 20 raincoats, and 20 rain boots. NDLEA will receive 10 raincoats and 10 rain boots. The Federal Road Safety Corps will receive 20 raincoats and 20 rain boots.

“Nigerian Correctional Service will receive 10 raincoats and 10 rain boots. VGN Mangu will receive nine motorcycles, 20 raincoats, and 20 rain boots. VGN Bokkos will receive nine motorcycles, 20 raincoats, and 20 rain boots. VGN Bassa will receive two motorcycles, 10 raincoats, and 10 rain boots.”

The Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Plateau State Command, Mr Alexander Barunde, assured the state government that the motorcycles would be used appropriately for their intended purpose, adding that farmers can now sleep soundly.