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The Executive Chairman of Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, Hon. Dr. Hamisu Mohammed Anani, has challenged governments across Nigeria to embrace a community-driven security model, urging the adoption of the Wase Security Network strategy in all 774 Local Government Areas and Area Councils to strengthen grassroots intelligence and complement the emerging state police structure.

Anani made the call on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the Passing Out Parade of operatives of the Wase Security Network and Private Guard Companies, following their training at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Command and Staff College, Jos.

The ceremony, held at the Plateau State Stadium, Zaria Road, Jos, brought together top government functionaries, security commanders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders committed to strengthening community participation in security management.

In a practical demonstration of his administration’s commitment to the initiative, Anani announced the release of 25 motorcycles and two operational vehicles, comprising a Jeep and a Hilux van, to support patrol and rapid-response operations across communities in Wase Local Government Area.

The chairman described the passing out parade as a significant milestone in the collective effort to protect lives and property, promote peaceful coexistence and establish a more effective grassroots security framework.

He explained that the Wase Security Network was conceived as a deliberate response to the growing need for community participation in addressing security challenges, noting that conventional security agencies alone could not deliver sustainable security without the active involvement of local communities.

According to him, the initiative is structured to provide local intelligence, early warning information, community engagement and support for lawful security operations, while strengthening collaboration between residents and recognised security institutions.

He argued that people who understand the geographical terrain, culture and peculiar challenges of their communities are strategically positioned to identify emerging threats, provide credible intelligence and support efforts to prevent conflicts before they escalate.

Anani stressed that security was fundamental to economic development, agricultural productivity, education and investment, noting that the ultimate objective of the Wase initiative was to guarantee an environment where farmers could cultivate their lands without fear, traders could pursue their businesses peacefully and children could attend school safely.

Charging the graduating personnel, the council chairman warned that their new responsibility required discipline, professionalism, vigilance and an unwavering commitment to the protection of citizens.

He urged them to respect human rights and the dignity of every individual, maintain political neutrality and avoid discrimination based on religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.

He also emphasised the need for close collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC and other recognised security agencies, warning against unhealthy competition or actions capable of compromising the integrity of the network.

Anani reminded the operatives that their effectiveness would be measured not by their uniforms but by their ability to save lives, prevent conflicts and sustain peace in their communities.

The chairman further assured that Wase Local Government would continue to support legitimate security initiatives through stakeholder engagement and community participation, particularly by involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women groups in intelligence sharing and conflict prevention.

He maintained that the Wase model should serve as a template for strengthening security at the grassroots nationwide, particularly as Nigeria considers the establishment of state police.

He therefore called for structured training and retraining of community security personnel across the 774 Local Government Areas and Area Councils, describing the strategy as an important complementary mechanism for the efforts of state governments, conventional security agencies and the proposed state policing arrangement.

Stakeholders at the event supported the proposition, advocating the nationwide replication of the Wase model as a sustainable framework for community-based security that would strengthen existing institutions and advance the peace and development agenda of governments.

Anani, who is also the Plateau State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and its National Publicity Secretary, further explained that the initiative would complement the operations of the national forest guard and encourage inter-agency cooperation among the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, NSCDC, Police and Rainbow Operations.

The Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, who served as Reviewing Officer, was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Ephraim Usman.

The Emir of Wase, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Muhammed Sambo Haruna, also attended, representing the Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs and Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba.

Other dignitaries included the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR; ACG Uko Anietimfon Udo, Zonal Commander, Zone 16, Lafia; ACG DA Abi, fsi, Commandant of the NSCDC Command and Staff College, Jos; and Ishaku Musa, Commandant of the Plateau State Command.

Traditional rulers, security chiefs, executive chairmen, government officials and members of the press were also present.

In his remarks, Anani commended the NSCDC Commandant General for providing the institutional support and leadership that made the training possible, while appreciating the management and instructors of the Command and Staff College for equipping the operatives with the requisite professional knowledge, discipline and operational orientation.

He equally acknowledged Governor Mutfwang’s commitment to peace and harmonious coexistence in Plateau State, describing his representation at the ceremony as evidence of the importance attached to grassroots security by the state government.

The ceremony featured the presentation of awards to prominent personalities and stakeholders in recognition of their contributions to leadership, peace and security.

Governor Mutfwang received an Exemplary Leadership Award for his commitment to peace, security and good governance, while the Emir of Wase was honoured for his support for local governance and his contributions to peace and stability in Wase and beyond.

Executive chairmen in attendance were also recognised as security ambassadors in their respective domains, while reviewing officers and training personnel from the Nigerian Army, NSCDC and other institutions received awards for their professionalism and contributions to the successful training exercise.

Anani was specially recognised as the pioneer Local Government Area security training promoter for rural communities, in acknowledgement of his role in advancing structured grassroots security capacity development.

A practical demonstration by the graduating personnel provided another major highlight of the event, as they showcased their operational efficiency, village security tactics, coordination and rapid-response capabilities.

The demonstrations attracted applause from the audience and underscored the operational orientation of the training programme.

In his vote of thanks, the College Commandant, ACG DA Abi, expressed gratitude to God, the NSCDC Commandant General for his vision, Governor Mutfwang for his support through his representative, and the people of Wase for entrusting their personnel to the college for training in accordance with NSCDC regulatory standards.

The historic passing out parade ended with musical entertainment and other side attractions, marking the formal transition of the trained personnel into their expected community security responsibilities.

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