Gov. Mutfwang Makes Case for State Police on ARISE TV, says ‘We Must Act Now’

Cites Operation Rainbow, technology, and funding as key to tackling insecurity

By Ralph Madugu

Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, has called for the urgent establishment of State Police, describing it as a “defining moment for our nation” to address decades-long security challenges facing communities in the state and across Nigeria.

Speaking at the Arise TV Town Hall Programme on the theme “Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security,” the Governor presented Plateau’s perspective and outlined the steps his administration has taken since assuming office.

He said, “When I assumed office, Plateau State was grappling with numerous security challenges.

“One of the first decisive steps we took was to reactivate Operation Rainbow, the state-owned security outfit established with the approval of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to provide critical intelligence support to conventional security agencies.”

Gov. Mutfwang added that beyond reactivating Operation Rainbow, the state has invested in “technology-driven surveillance” and is working to strengthen its security architecture to improve intelligence gathering, rapid response, and public safety.

He noted that while federal security agencies remain central, states need structures that understand local terrain and can respond faster to threats.

The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for “his bold leadership in advancing the long-awaited national conversation on State Police and for moving the discussion beyond rhetoric toward concrete action.”

He argued that the benefits of State Police “far outweigh the concerns that have been raised.”

“While every reform comes with challenges, potential abuses can be addressed through robust legal safeguards, institutional checks, accountability mechanisms, and effective oversight,” he said.

The Governor said sustainable financing must be built into any State Police framework if the initiative is to succeed.

“If we establish a reliable funding framework for State Police, we will significantly strengthen our collective capacity to confront insecurity across the country,” he stated.

He warned that delaying action will cost the nation more in the long run.

“As I emphasized during the discussion, if we fail to act now, we will ultimately pay a much higher price in the future. This is a defining moment for our nation. We must seize this opportunity to build a security system that reflects our realities, protects our citizens, and secures the future of Nigeria.”

The national debate on State Police has gained momentum in 2026, with several governors and stakeholders backing the reform as a way to decentralize policing and improve response to banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence.

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