News
Plateau Government Trains Over 1,400 Community Officers to Strengthen Grassroots Security Under Operation Rainbow
The Plateau State Government has stepped up efforts to bolster community security through the recruitment and training of over 1,400 local security officers under its security outfit, Operation Rainbow.
The intensive training, which is ongoing at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Command and Staff College in Jos East, represents a renewed push by Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration to revamp Operation Rainbow — a community-based security initiative designed to enhance intelligence gathering, early response, and protection at the grassroots level.
During an inspection visit to the training camp, the Special Adviser on Security and Homeland Safety and Acting Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Brig. Gen. Gakji Shipi (Rtd.), said the initiative is a key component of the governor’s broader strategy to strengthen security architecture across all 17 local government areas of the state.
“Operation Rainbow is the neighborhood watch agency of the Plateau State Government,” Gen. Shipi explained. “This recruitment and training are part of our efforts to restructure the state’s security system by bringing hunters, vigilantes, and other local actors under a unified and coordinated framework. These officers will serve as the first line of defense in their respective communities.”
He noted that the trainees are being equipped with tactical and intelligence-gathering skills to improve community safety, adding that the exercise would also help the government regulate and monitor local security groups to prevent misuse.
According to Shipi, the training is being carried out in two phases, targeting 1,450 personnel in total. While the issue of arms is still being reviewed, he disclosed that a controlled level of arms has been approved to support their operations.
“There is hardly any local government in Plateau State that is completely free of security challenges,” he said. “This initiative ensures that every community has a trained and coordinated team ready to respond swiftly to threats before conventional forces arrive.”
The Camp Commandant, Chief Superintendent of Corps Patrick Gutul, explained that participants were nominated by traditional and local councils based on their record of community service and trustworthiness.
“We allowed communities to recommend individuals already active in protecting their areas,” Gutul said. “They were screened and admitted into this three-week intensive training covering discipline, physical drills, arms handling, and intelligence coordination.”
Some of the trainees, including Jennifer Jeremiah from Kwal and Dakwat Khalid Malo from Qua’anpan, expressed gratitude to Governor Mutfwang for the initiative, describing it as timely and empowering.
“This training is preparing us to serve as the first line of defense in our communities,” Jeremiah said. “We are committed to using the knowledge gained here to protect lives and ensure peace.”
The Plateau State Government has, in recent months, intensified efforts to reform and strengthen its security framework, with Operation Rainbow positioned at the heart of its community-based response strategy aimed at curbing insecurity across the state.
(1) Atiku Abubakar
Among those contesting for the presidential ticket of the ADC, Atiku stands tall as the most experienced. Atiku’s quest to be president of Nigeria started in 1993, with the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The SDP primaries was won by the late Moshood Abiola who took Baba Gana Kingibe as his running mate.
However, Atiku was said to have stepped down from the race under pressure from Shehu Musa Yar’adua.
At the dawn of democracy in 1999, Atiku was chosen by Olusegun Obasanjo as his running mate. However, after falling out with Obasanjo at the end of their tenure, in 2007 he defected and contested for the presidency on the platform of the Action Congress (AC). He was defeated by the late Umaru Musa Yar’adua of the PDP.
The former Vice President returned to the Peoples Democratic Party, in 2011 and challenged the former President Goodluck Jonathan for the PDP ticket. Atiku lost the party’s primary election to Jonathan. In 2015, Atiku led some PDP governors to the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC) and challenged the late President Muhammadu Buhari and others for the presidential ticket, but lost the contest.
In 2019, Atiku returned to the PDP, won the primary, but lost the main election to the then President Muhammadu Buhari. In 2023, Atiku was also the PDP’s candidate, but lost to the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a widely publicised interview on television, Atiku recently disclosed that the 2027 election will be his last, fueling speculation that he will do everything humanly possible to clinch the ticket of the party.
(2) Rotimi Amaechi
Rotimi Amaechi, one of the top contenders for the ticket of the ADC, is a former Speaker of the Rivers State and a governor in the same Rivers. In 2023, after the tenure of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Amaechi contested for the presidential ticket of the APC with President Tinubu and lost.
Ahead of the coming election in 2027, Amaechi joined forces with the opposition coalition in the ADC and is now battling with others to clinch the presidential ticket.
As the battle for the ticket hots up, Amaechi was recently quoted in an interview with Trust TV, as saying that he did not purchase the nomination form of the ADC to step down or become a vice presidential candidate to anyone.
After his screening last week, Amaechi told journalists that he is a bonafide member of the ADC and will only accept the outcome of any consensus where he is part of and involved.
(3) Muhammed Hayatu-Deen
Muhammed Hayatu-Deen is another presidential aspirant that has been making waves ahead of the ADC presidential primary.
In 2023, Hayatu-Deen was one of the top presidential aspirants for the ticket of the party. He lost to Atiku.
Ahead of the primaries, Hayatu-Deen has urged delegates and stakeholders to use the primary to demonstrate the party’s readiness to offer Nigerians what he described as a credible alternative to failed governance and “recycled politics.”
Speaking in Abuja at the weekend, Hayatu-Deen described the forthcoming primary election as a defining moment not only for the party but also for Nigeria’s political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said. “Monday is not merely about selecting a candidate. Monday is about determining whether the ADC is truly serious about rescuing Nigeria and offering Nigerians a credible alternative to the failed politics they have endured for too long.”
Positioning himself as a unifying candidate capable of bridging regional, religious and generational divides, Hayatu-Deen argued that his candidacy represents a departure from established political figures.
“I am not on the carousel of the same old faces that Nigerians have seen for decades,” he stated. “I carry no political baggage. I owe no godfathers. What I bring is experience, credibility, integrity, calm leadership, and a practical recovery plan for Nigeria.”
The aspirant highlighted insecurity, unemployment, displacement and economic decline across North Central states, including Benue State, Plateau State, Niger State, Nasarawa State and Kogi State, describing persistent attacks on farming communities as both an economic and humanitarian crisis.
“A nation cannot prosper when the region that feeds it is bleeding,” he said.
The winner of the anticipated ADC presidential primary is expected to lead the party into the January 2027 presidential election and mount a challenge against incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC and probably Mr Peter Obi of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
Remo Stars F.C. have officially confirmed their relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.
In an emotional statement released by the club, Remo Stars admitted the campaign ended far below expectations and described the outcome as heartbreaking for everyone connected to the team.
“This outcome is heartbreaking for everyone connected to the club,” the statement read.
The club acknowledged the disappointment experienced by supporters, players, management, and staff after failing to secure enough consistency throughout the season.
“We did not deliver the performances required to remain in the division,” the club implied.
Remo Stars also accepted responsibility for the disappointing campaign while recognizing the high expectations surrounding the team before the season began.
“We take full responsibility for the failure,” the statement noted.
Despite the setback, the club insisted it remains committed to rebuilding and returning stronger in the future.
“Our focus now shifts toward rebuilding with purpose and determination,” the statement added.
The club also expressed gratitude to supporters who continued standing by the team during difficult moments across the season.
“Your loyalty means everything to us,” Remo Stars stressed.
The relegation has sparked emotional reactions among fans, especially considering the club’s ambitions and recent progress within Nigerian football.
“It’s a painful moment for the club and supporters,” many football observers reacted.
Remo Stars, however, remain optimistic about rebuilding and fighting for a return to the top division.
For the club, the message is clear.
Mistakes have been acknowledged.
A rebuilding process is coming.
And the ambition to return stronger remains alive.
Because setbacks in football often become the beginning of a new chapter of growth and recovery.
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