Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has renewed calls for the creation of state police, insisting that centralised command from Abuja is no longer sufficient to address localised security challenges.

Speaking during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in Jos, the governor said Plateau had already strengthened grassroots policing through Operation Rainbow, a community-based security outfit.

“We have recruited 1,450 young operatives who will commence training next week. The reality is that attackers infiltrate from Taraba, Nasarawa, or Kaduna, strike our villages, and retreat. Abuja cannot monitor these terrains the way our people can,” Mutfwang said.

Acknowledging concerns about potential political misuse of state police, he argued that safeguards could be put in place to prevent abuse. He noted that federations such as the United States successfully operate multiple policing layers, stressing that Nigeria could achieve the same with political will.

The governor disclosed that surveillance drones had already been deployed in Plateau, exposing armed group movements and enabling security forces to respond faster. He cited a recent ambush on security escorts in Bokkos, which forced the state to rethink its displaced persons return strategy.

“Our drones have captured clear images of bandit movements across ungoverned spaces. This has improved ground troop response. However, without consistent air support, we sometimes lose the advantage. Manpower is also a huge challenge,” he added.

Mutfwang pledged that Plateau would continue pressing for increased federal security deployment while investing in local intelligence and rapid response capacity.