The House of Representatives yesterday threw its weight behind Plateau State Governor David Jonah Jang’s controversial plan to establish a new state-run security organisation to be known as Operation Rainbow. The House refused to debate a motion sponsored by Rep Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi), which sought to condemn the move and call for its outright proscription.


Presenting the motion, Ningi argued that the plan was contrary to the provisions of the 1999 constitution which prohibits the establishment of state police and other security agencies apart from the ones run solely by the Federal government.



However, Rep Bitrus Kaze (PDP, Plateau) quickly countered the motion saying, “There are crises in Borno, Bauchi and the Niger Delta, why didn’t anybody mention it on the floor of the House? Anytime the state government wants to take step to address internal issue, somebody will use the floor of the House to sabotage it. The House is the house of all Nigerians so it cannot take decision to favour some few people because there were about three reports on Plateau State that were carried out by the House which are lying idle.”

Kaze added that the permission of the Presidency was sought in establishing Operation Rainbow and “it involved the Army, Police, SSS and all security agencies”.

Speaker Dimeji Bankole then put the question and ruled in favour of rejecting the motion. Ningi raised a point of order calling for the division of the House into two, but Bankole overruled him.

There were reports that President Goodluck Jonathan had acceded to a request by Jang to establish the independent security outfit with the purpose of stemming the ethnic and sectarian conflicts that have wracked Plateau State for years. Some of the warring groups in the state however condemned the move, saying the current Plateau State governor cannot be trusted not to use the outfit against some sections of the populace.

Meanwhile, in another ugly twist to the Plateau crises, 18 people lost their lives while several others were injured in an early morning raid yesterday on Bere Reti Fan village in Barkin Ladi local government area.

The attack was said to have taken place at about 1am when some unidentified men stormed the village and made straight to places in the community where cows are kept.

They were said to have attacked and killed those they met on their way, killing about 18 persons including women and children.

Many cows belonging to the villagers were said to have been stolen in the attack. Other victims of the attack who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals in the state.

Plateau State commissioner for information Gregory Yenlong confirmed the attack, describing it as unfortunate in the face of efforts being made by the government to find lasting peace in the state. The commissioner said the state government is yet to establish the motive behind the attack as it is still being investigated by both the police and the STF. He said those behind the attack should desist as he said violence would not help.

The Special Task Force [STF] Commander Brigadier Hassan Umaru, who also confirmed the incident, said the attack took place in the wee hours of the morning. He however said it was 12 people that were killed in the incident but added that it is possible that the figure could be more than that. The STF commander said the attack was “swift” and it happened in such a way that the assailants fled before his men got to the scene.

General Umaru described the incident as “unfortunate” considering efforts by the STF to ensure that lasting peace is restored in the state through the various fora organized by the command. He added that the number of cows rustled has not yet been ascertained, adding that no arrest has made in connection with the incident.

Director of Stefanos Foundation, a faith based organization, Engineer Mark Lipdo said most of the victims are children as 11 children were killed in the attack with two men and five women. Most parts of Jos were tense yesterday as a result of the attack and many people stayed at home due to fear of possible reprisal attacks.

http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12643:mps-okay-jangs-operation-rainbow-18-killed-in-fresh-attack&catid=2:lead-stories&Itemid=8

What is it with this bauchi people and jos?
They were thesame ones clamoring for a state of emergency in jos forgetting that bauchi needs the state of emergency more than jos. And now they are against a security outfit that can synergise curbing of the crises. The soldiers alone cannot curb the crises a evident by the daily attacks jos 'enjoys'. Why cant people just think with their heads for once. Bauchi is a haven for terrorist yet they are not talking about it.
Just as i have said and will keep saying, the secrets behind all these senseless attacks and needless killings will soon be in the open.

If the federal govt. wont do anything then let the man do his thing, I really look forward to having jos peaceful once more

This is the first step to state police. At this rate, one morning we will wake up to find we are finally practising true federalism.
Operation Rainbow is a massive milestone.

Beaf:

This is the first step to state police. At this rate, one morning we will wake up to find we are finally practising true federalism.
Operation Rainbow is a massive milestone.

For once we strongly agree on one platform