Widespread claims suggesting that Muslims were excluded from the ongoing Operation Rainbow training have been debunked by trainees, religious leaders, and community representatives who confirmed that the exercise is fully inclusive and drawn from all religious and ethnic groups across Plateau State.
Interviews conducted at the NSCDC Command and Staff College in Jos East show that the second batch of recruits comprises Christians and Muslims from all 17 LGAs, contradicting circulating allegations of bias.
Muslim Trainees Dismiss Claims of Exclusion
Salisu Nasiru Garba 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,” he said.
Musa Abdullahi, an Ardo 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,” he stated.
Abubakar Muhammad Lawal, 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,” he said.
Haruna Salisu from Barkin Ladi described the claim 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,” he noted.
Adama Rabiu, a Muslim woman from Wase and member of the Neighbourhood Watch, said the narrative is unfair.
“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,” he said.
Akilu Abdullahi Mu’azu from Kanam added that Muslims 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,” he said.
Abas Mohid, also from Kanam, said he was surprised by the online claim.
“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.
Other Muslim trainees, including Hussaini T. Wuyep and Idris Ishaq from Kanam LGA, also affirmed the same position.
Christian Recruits Also Confirm Diversity
Christian trainees backed the same account, describing the camp as a mix of faiths and ethnicities.
Longshep Albert from Shendam LGA said:
“All trainees came from different LGAs, and it’s a mix of Christians and Muslims. Everything is done together except prayers.”
Carlos Pwajok Gideon from Barkin Ladi said every platoon is mixed.
“Both Christians and Muslims are here. There is no segregation. Only pagans are not here,” he noted.
Government: Operation Rainbow Belongs to All Plateau People
During his address to the second batch of trainees earlier in the week, the Special Adviser on Security and Homeland Safety and Acting Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Brig. Gen. Gakji Shipi (Rtd.), reaffirmed that both the first and second batches reflect Plateau’s religious and ethnic diversity.
“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,” he said.
He added that the recruits were selected directly from their communities, ensuring fair representation from all LGAs.
A Unified Security Effort
The second batch of trainees—part of the state’s target to train over 1,400 security personnel—includes Christians and Muslims from diverse ethnic groups. Trainees say they are committed to serving their communities and supporting peace efforts, noting that security challenges cut across religion and tribe.
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.
