Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang
Plateau State Government has graduated 353 retrained operatives of Operation Rainbow, unveiling additional operational logistics as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering and tackle insecurity across the state.
The passing-out parade, held on Monday at the Zaria Road Stadium, Jos, was attended by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, government officials, traditional rulers and representatives of security agencies.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mutfwang said his administration was committed to expanding the operational presence of the state-owned security outfit to all 17 local government areas (LGAs), disclosing that 11 operational camps had already been established.
He said vehicles and motorcycles would be distributed to the operatives to facilitate their deployment to their respective areas of responsibility.
The governor explained that the government was also strengthening the outfit’s intelligence-gathering capacity through technology, including drones and a command-and-control centre, to improve surveillance and ensure the timely transmission of security information to relevant agencies.
“It is the intention of the state that each local government will have an operational camp that will use drones in getting information in real time and passing it to other security agencies so that they can utilise it,” he said.
Mutfwang clarified that Operation Rainbow was primarily an intelligence-gathering outfit and not an independent armed force, stressing that its personnel were expected to complement conventional security agencies in addressing criminal activities.
“Operation Rainbow basically is an intelligence-gathering outfit. They are not armed to fight on their own. They are trained and retrained so that they can complement the conventional security forces,” the governor said.
He noted that the operatives, being residents of the communities where they operate, possessed valuable knowledge of the terrain, which could assist security agencies in identifying threats and responding to emergencies.
The governor urged the newly retrained personnel to demonstrate professionalism, integrity and restraint in the discharge of their responsibilities, reminding them that they were not above the law.
“As you go into the field to protect your communities, you must carry yourselves with professionalism, integrity and restraint.
“Let me remind you that as you have been trained and retrained to enforce the law and protect citizens, you are not above the law. You are partners and guardians of the law,” he said.
Mutfwang also directed the operatives to maintain close collaboration with conventional security agencies, traditional institutions and community leaders, noting that effective intelligence sharing remained essential to achieving lasting peace.
He disclosed that the state had made available more than 25 gun trucks to Operation Enduring Peace and other security agencies to support their operational movements.
The governor further identified the Plateau State Special Activities Centre (PSAC), equipped with drones and monitoring facilities, as part of the government’s efforts to improve real-time security monitoring across the state.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Brigadier-General Nash Yakubu (retd.), said the retraining exercise was designed to equip the personnel with the skills required to respond more effectively to contemporary security challenges.
He said the programme focused on improving their ability to identify, assess and respond to security threats, monitor suspicious activities, handle emergencies and maintain effective communication and coordination.
Yakubu explained that Operation Rainbow worked in collaboration with Operation Enduring Peace, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Immigration Service and vigilante groups to gather and transmit intelligence to relevant security authorities.
He said the retrained personnel were better prepared to undertake neighbourhood surveillance, provide early warnings and support crime-prevention efforts in their respective communities.
The coordinator commended the governor for approving and funding the retraining exercise, while appreciating other security agencies for their cooperation in efforts to restore peace in Plateau State.
The ceremony also featured the unveiling of operational vehicles and other logistics to strengthen the outfit’s capacity.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing continuous training, operational equipment and improved support for security agencies as part of efforts to protect lives and property across the state.
