Mutfwang Assures Plateau Residents of Improved Security as 353 Operation Rainbow Neighbourhood Watch Operatives Pass Out
Mutfwang Assures Plateau Residents of Improved Security as 353 Operation Rainbow Neighbourhood Watch Operatives Pass Out
By Comfort Pius, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has assured residents of improved security across the state, saying his administration is strengthening community-based security structures to protect lives and property.
Mutfwang gave the assurance on Monday, November 9, 2026, during the passing-out parade of 353 retrained Operation Rainbow Neighbourhood Watch operatives at the New Zaria Road Stadium, Jos, Plateau State.
The governor described the exercise as a significant step towards improving intelligence gathering, early warning mechanisms and community policing, stressing that security remained one of the cardinal priorities of his administration.
He said peace was essential for development, investment and economic growth, adding that effective security must begin at the grassroots through community policing and support for vigilante structures.
Mutfwang charged the graduating operatives to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism, integrity, impartiality and restraint, reminding them that their training did not place them above the law.
He urged them to work closely with conventional security agencies, traditional institutions and community leaders, stressing that intelligence sharing, cooperation and mutual respect were essential to achieving lasting peace.
The governor clarified that Operation Rainbow was primarily an intelligence-gathering outfit and that its operatives were not armed or equipped to independently engage criminals in combat.
According to him, the outfit was established to complement conventional security agencies by leveraging the operatives’ knowledge of their communities and local terrain to facilitate intelligence gathering and effective security responses.
Addressing controversies surrounding the activities of security personnel on social media, Mutfwang said operatives operated under established guidelines, adding that appropriate disciplinary mechanisms were available to address misconduct.
He advised members of the public to channel genuine complaints against security personnel through the appropriate authorities rather than resorting to social media campaigns that could undermine security operations.
The governor also dismissed claims that Operation Rainbow was dominated by a particular religious or ethnic group, insisting that the outfit reflected the religious and ethnic diversity of Plateau State.
He commended the General Officer Commanding, 3 Armoured Division, the Department of State Services, the Commissioner of Police, the Coordinator of Operation Rainbow and other members of the State Security Council for their collaboration in tackling criminal activities.
Mutfwang expressed optimism that security was gradually improving, citing positive developments recorded in the state over the past two to three months.
He assured residents, visitors and tourists that Jos, the state capital, remained safe for business and other activities, particularly as the festive season approaches.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing Operation Rainbow and other security agencies with the necessary equipment, continuous training and welfare support to enhance their operational capacity.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Brigadier General Nash Yakubu (retd.), said the retraining exercise was designed to strengthen the capacity, discipline and professional competence of the neighbourhood watch operatives to respond effectively to contemporary security challenges.
Yakubu explained that the training, which commenced about two months ago for the first batch of more than 350 personnel, focused on identifying and assessing security threats, monitoring suspicious activities, emergency response, intelligence gathering and effective communication.
He stressed that Operation Rainbow operated in collaboration with conventional security agencies, including Operation Safe Haven, the DSS, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Immigration Service, as well as community vigilante groups.
The coordinator disclosed that Operation Rainbow currently had more than 25 gun trucks, which were made available to support other security agencies during patrols and operational deployments.
He also revealed that the outfit had established a command and control centre known as the Plateau State Special Activities Centre, equipped with drones and monitoring facilities for real-time surveillance and intelligence gathering.
According to him, 11 operational camps had so far been established in different local government areas, while plans were underway to extend the facilities to all 17 local government areas of the state.
Yakubu added that the graduating operatives would be deployed to their respective local government areas to undertake neighbourhood surveillance, intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
He said vehicles and motorcycles would also be distributed across the local government areas to facilitate the mobility and operational effectiveness of the personnel.
The coordinator expressed appreciation to Governor Mutfwang for approving and funding the retraining exercise, as well as other security agencies for their continued cooperation.
He assured residents that Operation Rainbow was now better trained, equipped and prepared to contribute to the restoration and sustenance of peace in Plateau State.
