Several residents of Mangu community in Plateau have leveled accusations against the state-owned security outfit, Operation Rainbow, alleging extrajudicial killings and acts of violence in the area.
The residents claim that Operation Rainbow, in collaboration with a mob, has been responsible for the killing of individuals and the burning of houses, with the attacks reportedly continuing into Wednesday morning.
Salisu Mu’azu, a resident, claimed that gunmen led by Operation Rainbow stormed their community around 9:30 and stated shooting and burning of houses.
“The Operation Rainbow will lead the gunmen. The approach you as if they’re patrolling but that is not true. We are in serious problem,” he told DailyTrust on Wednesday.
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Ibrahim Isa, residing in Anguwan Femawa, echoed similar sentiments, accusing Operation Rainbow and a mob of creating lawlessness in Mangu. He reported widespread killings and gunshots, expressing uncertainty about the number of casualties.
Isa stated, “There is lawlessness now in Mangu. Everywhere killings and gunshots. We don’t know how many people have died.
“We have not been able to bury the corpses we have on on ground because of the situation. Now we are recording more deaths.”
Musa Salisu, from Hayi community in Mangu, pleaded for intervention from the Federal Government, alleging that Operation Rainbow’s actions were exacerbating the situation rather than restoring peace.
He disclosed, “We are begging the Federal Government to come to our aid. We are being killed, our houses are being burnt. Where is the security in Mangu? Is Operation Rainbow the only force we have to tackle this problem? Personnel of the Operation are only killing us instead of restoring peace.”
Contrary to the accusations, the Public Relations Officer of Operation Rainbow, Panam Gongden, denied any wrongdoing. Gongden emphasised that Operation Rainbow comprises various security agencies and is committed to impartiality in its operations.
Gongden articulated, “Operation Rainbow belongs to everyone and it compromises of conventional police , immigration, Civil Defense and other security agencies. We wonder how some people will be accusing us of taking side.
“The dispatch of personnel is not done base on ethnicity or religion. It is a joined patrol. It is just baseless. People who have lost touch with what they are sent to do will definitely make such accusation,” he added.