- Operation Rainbow denied aiding the killing of the slain herders
- The security outfit stated that its mandate is to protect the lives and properties of all citizens
- It said it will not hesitate to take legal action on anyone or group found to be falsely discrediting the outfit
Security operatives in Plateau state have said they have nothing to do with the killing of herders in the middle belt enclave.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) had accused Operation Rainbow of supporting the recent attacks and killings of their members in Plateau.
Operation Rainbow, a security outfit set up by the Plateau state government, is saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace in the hinterlands of the middle belt state.
The State security has, however, denied aiding the killing of the slain herders.
The security outfit stated that its mandate is to protect the lives and properties of all citizens irrespective of race, tribe or religion.
Operation Rainbow’s reaction was contained in a press statement made available to journalists in Jos the State Capital, on Monday, signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Panan Gongden.
It reads: “The attention of Operation Rainbow has been drawn to a video and audio making the rounds by Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) alleging that the reputable outfit with a clear mandate of protecting lives and properties of all citizens irrespective of race, tribe or religion, aided attacks on some herders.
“It was claimed in the video that they were attacked by Sura people with the aid of Operation Rainbow; the spokesperson further claimed that his brother was killed in the said attack and houses burnt down.
“Operation Rainbow wish to put the record straight to the public that the information is not only untrue but malicious and aimed at bringing the highly reputable outfit to disrepute and to further distract the officers of Operation Rainbow from the professional duty they have been commended over time for discharging.
“We wish to inform the public that our personnel have never been accused of being biased in any operation while they still retain their commendable position of being the most proactive and trusted outfit on the Plateau.
“The traffic on the emergency line of Operation Rainbow further confirms and reassures the confidence the public repose in our ability to respond swiftly to any distress within the State at an early warning time”, he explained.
“The public is therefore advised to disregard the said video/ audio and any other news both in the print and through other online media platforms aimed at damaging the reputation of Operation Rainbow by criminal elements who are out to truncate the fragile peace the state has enjoyed in the past”, the Outfit maintained.
“Operation Rainbow will not hesitate to take legal action on anyone or group found to be falsely discrediting this outfit in any way”, it warned.
“It is on record that since the attack started in April on over 56 communities in Mangu LGA with over 280 people killed, security agencies were deployed to remedy the situation.
“Deployment to affected areas was done centrally by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Mangu LGA.
“Hence, there was never a time where personnel of Operation Rainbow were separately deployed without other agencies and hence the falsehood in the claim by the character in question”, he further explained.
While calling on the citizenry to disregard in its entirety the content of the viral video/audio, Operation Rainbow reassured the public of her commitment to securing the lives and properties of every law-abiding citizen through the professional conduct of her dedicated personnel.
It urged residents to report any suspicious movement or action through the emergency lines of the outfit for immediate response.
“The Coordinator of Operation Rainbow is hereby calling on the good people of Plateau State to eschew bitterness and live together to move the state forward instead of turning it into a war theatre”, it admonished.
“We should keep our eyes open and give verifiable information on any suspicious action/ movement to the nearest security agency”, the Outfit stressed.