Plateau State Government, DSS Launch Security Sensitization Program for Traditional Rulers

The Plateau State Government, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), has launched a security sensitization and awareness program for members of the Plateau State traditional institutions.

The event, which was attended by revered traditional rulers held at Government House Little Rayfield Jos, aimed to promote collective responsibility for security and highlight the pivotal role traditional institutions play in peace-building, conflict prevention, and community cohesion.

In his address, Governor Caleb Mutfwang emphasized that security is a collective responsibility and that government efforts alone are not enough without the active participation of critical stakeholders, especially traditional rulers who are closest to the people.

He noted that the collaboration between the Plateau State Government and the DSS reflects their collective resolve to strengthen intelligence gathering, promote early detection of security threats, and enhance community-based security architecture.

The Governor who was represented by the deputy Governor Josephine Piyo through the secretary to the government of the state Samuel Jatau urged traditional rulers to promote unity, discourage violence, and guide youth away from criminality and extremism, saying, “Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, dialogue, inclusion, and trust.”

The Governor commended the DSS Plateau State Command for their professionalism and dedication, saying, “Together, through unity of purpose and shared responsibility, we can build a Plateau State that is peaceful, secure, and prosperous for all.”

Deputy Director, DSS Plateau State Command, Rabiu Garba, emphasized the importance of security education, stating that a security-conscious population is key to achieving peace.

He highlighted that most attacks are preventable if individuals take personal responsibility for their security and report early warning signals.

The Gbong Gwom Jos, DA Jacob Gyang Buba, has emphasized the need for a revival of traditional security systems, stating that the current security challenges in Nigeria are a result of neglecting these systems.

He noted that politics has incapacitated the security and traditional institution, and that the absence of history from the educational curriculum has contributed to the current security problems.

The traditional ruler stressed that security is a collective responsibility and urged traditional leaders to take a more proactive role in promoting peace and security in their communities.

He also emphasized the importance of parental responsibility and the need for children to be taught traditional values and respect for authority.

The Gbong Gwom Jos called for the reinstatement of traditional security systems, where traditional rulers were effective in maintaining law and order, and urged the government to provide a template for traditional rulers to handle security issues.

The program covered topics such as personal security education, early warning signals, and tactics for preventing attacks.

Traditional rulers were urged to be vigilant, identify potential security threats, and report them to the authorities to prevent crises.