In a move to enhance accountability and professionalism in community-based security operations, the The Kukah Centre has convened a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Harmonisation and Inter-Agency Coordination meeting for Operation Rainbow in Plateau State.
The engagement, held on March 3, 2026, at Jonggang Hotel Hall in Jos, was organised under the project titled “Improving Community Security Initiatives for Accountable Service Delivery.” It brought together representatives of security agencies, civil society organisations, and law enforcement bodies to deliberate on strengthening the civilian component of Operation Rainbow.
Speaking during the session, Bamber Terseer, Project Manager at The Kukah Centre and lead implementer of the initiative, explained that the project aims to strengthen state-backed security outfits through improved legal frameworks and operational guidelines.
“Different state governments have established security outfits to address local security challenges. In Plateau, Operation Rainbow was set up by law to tackle insecurity. Our project seeks to strengthen the legal framework establishing the outfit and develop clear Standard Operating Procedures to guide its operations,” he said.
Terseer added that beyond developing SOPs, the project would also provide specialised training for personnel to ensure they operate within defined professional and human rights standards while strengthening trust with host communities.
He noted that the initiative is being implemented in other states, including Kaduna, Katsina, and Benue, where it is supporting similar security structures such as the Kaduna Vigilance Service, Katsina Community Watch Corps, and Benue Civil Protection Guards. According to him, the Plateau engagement represents part of a pilot phase expected to expand to more states.
Security Consultant with The Kukah Centre, Zakaria Tari, said the workshop was designed to guide Operation Rainbow’s civilian component on professional procedures that ensure accountable service delivery.
“Although Operation Rainbow was established by law, we want to strengthen that framework by developing guiding principles that can be institutionalised. Security work sometimes involves sensitive actions that could affect human rights, so these SOPs will ensure personnel operate professionally and in collaboration with national security agencies,” he said.
Representing the Coordinator Operation Rainbow, Gen. Gakji Shipi (Rtd), Head of Department, Economic Empowerment and Peace Building, Fadassah Binta Othman, emphasised the importance of the harmonisation process.
She explained that Operation Rainbow operates a bottom-up, early-warning system across communities in the state. According to him, operatives stationed at community levels report incidents through a toll-free line to a central situation room where intelligence analysts assess and escalate credible threats to relevant security agencies.
“This engagement is critical because it will help us refine how our personnel relate with communities. We have received some complaints in the past regarding interactions, and this training will provide clarity on appropriate conduct and strengthen community rapport,” he said.
Also speaking, Gladys Edmond, Team Lead, Security at the Plateau Peace Building Agency, who represented the Director General, Dr. Julie Sanda, described the initiative as timely and essential.
She noted that the Peace Building Agency serves as a coordination hub bringing together diverse stakeholders under the state’s security architecture.
“No agency can handle security alone. Operation Rainbow was created to complement federal security agencies. Harmonising roles and clarifying lines of engagement will reduce duplication of efforts and prevent operational friction,” she said.
Edmond added that the presence of agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Correctional Service, and the Nigerian Forest Service at the meeting underscored the importance of coordinated action.
The project is supported by the UK International Development under the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme—an initiative of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office implemented by Tetra Tech International Development.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the harmonised SOPs and strengthened inter-agency collaboration would enhance accountability, professionalism, and community trust in security service delivery across Plateau State.
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