Special Adviser on Security and Homeland Safety to Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, who also doubles as the Acting Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Brig. Gen. Gakji Shipi (Rtd.), has debunked allegations by the State chapter of the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria, GAFDAN, of alleged non-inclusion of Muslims and Fulani people in the ongoing second batch training of Operation Rainbow operatives in Jos.
GAFDAN had in a statement issued by its media team on Thursday, condemned the exercise, claiming that no Muslim or Hausa–Fulani participant was included in the current exercise.
He warned that the alleged exclusion of its members in the programme “undermines inclusivity in a security outfit meant for all residents and called on the government to ensure fair representation and transparency in the recruitment process.
“This is a one-sided security recruitment with a motive of giving or providing security to a particular section or individuals.”
“Therefore, the attention of the state government is hereby drawn to kindly look at the issue with mercy, justice, please,” the statement added, noting that the non-inclusion of Muslims or the Hausa-Fulani community amounts to gross marginalization.
However, Brig. Gen. Shipi, who debunked the claims by GAFDAN on Friday, stated that the allegations were false, as both the first and second batch recruitments cut across religious and ethnic diversity, being based on merit.
Shipi regretted the fact that GAFDAN raised the allegations without making a thorough fact-finding mission to find out the true position of the operation but only acted on hearsay from some individuals who did not make the cut for the recruitment which he said affected both Muslims and Christians but decided to embark on a propaganda that no Muslim was recruited.
“We recruited vigilantes, hunters, and community volunteers from the grassroots, irrespective of religion or tribe. There was no discrimination. Operation Rainbow belongs to all Plateau people, and its strength lies in its diversity,” Shipi said.
He added that the recruits were selected directly from their communities, thus ensuring fair representation from all LGAs.
“The Plateau State Government maintains that Operation Rainbow is a neutral, community-driven security outfit designed to safeguard every resident, reinforcing the state’s longstanding tradition of peaceful coexistence,” he added.
During the briefing, which was held at the NSCDC Command and Staff College in Jos East, our correspondent, who was present at the event, used the opportunity to interact with the new recruits. It turned out that there was an equal mix of Muslims and Christians among them.
Interactions with some of the recruits also revealed that the GAFDAN claims were based on misinformation they got from some of the Muslim and Fulani people who were not successful at the recruitment stage.
Muslim trainees who spoke with our correspondent also dismissed the claims of exclusion.
Salisu Nasiru Garba, who is from Jos North, described the report as misleading, noting that the camp accommodates Muslims and Christians who train, work, and live together.
“There are Muslims here. We came for peaceful coexistence. The only time religion comes up is during prayer,” Garba said.
Musa Abdullahi, a Fulani man from Wase LGA, said his presence alone proves that Muslims were not sidelined.
“If there was discrimination, a Fulani Muslim like me wouldn’t be here. People should stop spoiling the government’s efforts.”
Abubakar Muhammad Lawal from Wase LGA, who is the camp Imam from Wase LGA, said Muslims are well represented.
“We have more than 200 Muslims in this camp. The process didn’t hinder our prayers. Christians and Muslims were selected through the same screening, and we train and live together.”
Haruna Salisu, another Fulani man from Barkin Ladi described the claim by GAFDAN as shocking.
“There are Muslims here, including Hausa-Fulani like myself. Some Muslims who passed the screening didn’t come, but to say none were recruited is a lie,” he said.
Ismak Ishaq Adam from Jos North, a long-time volunteer with Operation Rainbow, said misinformation is driving the narrative.
“More than one-third of us are Muslims. Anyone saying otherwise is acting out of ignorance or bad intention.”
Adama Rabiu, a female Muslim who was successful at the recruitment stage said she was a member of the Wase Neighbourhood Watch before she went for the Operation Rainbow recruitment and was successful. She also described the allegations from GAFDAN as unfair and complete misinformation.
“As a woman and a Muslim, I feel bad hearing that false claim. There are Muslims everywhere in this camp,” she stated.
Habu Mohammad from Shendam said about 20 Muslims from his own screening group were selected.
“When we came, prayer groups were almost 50/50. There is no tribal or religious discrimination.”
Akilu Abdullahi Mu’azu from Kanam insisted that Muslims in the camp constitute a significant number.
“One-third of us are Muslims. From Kanam alone, 75% of those who came are Muslims. People should stop spreading lies.”
A Fulani Muslim from Kanam, Abbas Mohid, said he was surprised by the claim from the group and wondered where they got their information without going to the camp to verify before releasing the statement.
“We even have more Muslims from Kanam than Christians here. We eat together, learn together, and work together. This training is for peace, so let’s not twist it,” he warned.