A coalition of indigenous youth organisations in Plateau State has defended the Department of State Services (DSS), the Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow against allegations of bias and misconduct, urging the Federal Government to sustain joint security operations against insurgency and other criminal activities.
The coalition made the call at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, where it described recent petitions and viral social media videos accusing security operatives of wrongdoing as attempts to undermine ongoing security operations.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the President of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association and Coordinator of Indigenous Youth Nationalities, Northern Zone, Mr Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, urged the Federal Government to protect security agencies from what the group described as political and criminal pressure.
The youth organisations, however, called for a thorough investigation into allegations of unprofessional conduct, compromise and collusion involving some security personnel, stressing the need for accountability and effective inter-agency collaboration.
The coalition comprises indigenous youth groups representing the Afizere, Anaguta, Atakar, Atten, Bache, Berom, Gamai, Irigwe, Kunlere, Mushere, Mwaghavul, Ron, Pan, Tarok and other ethnic communities in Plateau State.
The press conference, held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory Council, was convened in response to a petition dated October 5, 2026, reportedly signed by Mr Mujahid Abdullahi, a lawyer, on behalf of the Plateau chapters of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN), the Fulbe Youth Development Association (FUYODA) and other organisations.
According to the coalition, the petition accused security operatives, particularly the DSS, of discriminatory operations against Fulani communities and linked the agency to alleged killings, abductions, cattle rustling and the poisoning and shooting of cattle.
The group also referred to a video circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms that allegedly portrayed the Nigerian Army as the only security agency working in the interest of peace in Plateau State.
The coalition rejected the allegations, arguing that the petition and video could undermine public confidence in security agencies and disrupt joint operations.
It identified five alleged objectives behind the campaign: intimidating the Plateau State Director of the DSS, Mr Paul Damian; discrediting the operations of the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow; disrupting joint operations involving local security volunteers; discouraging intelligence sharing among security agencies; and portraying the Nigerian Army as the only effective security force in the state.
The coalition said joint operations by the agencies had contributed to efforts to tackle armed violence and apprehend suspected criminal elements, including a militant leader it identified as Ardo Mahmoud Adams.
It further alleged that armed groups had operated alongside cattle herders in some affected areas, claiming that at least 152 hamlets, villages and communities had suffered attacks and occupation.
The group denied that Mr Damian and the DSS were involved in killings or cattle rustling. It said cattle intercepted while grazing on farmlands were being held pending the identification of their owners and the alleged perpetrators.
The coalition also cited several attacks on security personnel and communities as evidence of the continuing security challenges in the state.
It alleged that gunmen attacked a newly deployed DSS base at Nding Sesut, Fan, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, on June 1, 2026.
It also referred to attacks on Tanjol and Tarai villages in Jol community on August 23, 2026, claiming that more than 400 armed men participated in the assaults, killed two DSS officers and took away their rifles before retreating towards Rankum in the Mahanga area of Riyom Local Government Area.
The coalition further alleged that Mobile Police Force officers were killed in attacks on Dares and Kwi villages in Bokkos and Riyom Local Government Areas, respectively, about two weeks before the press conference.
It also claimed that the Operations Officer of Operation Rainbow, DSP David Babale, was ambushed and killed near a military checkpoint around Rakok village, on the outskirts of Barkin Ladi.
According to the group, similar incidents had occurred at Kantoma and Alohgom in the Mangu Local Government Area.
The allegations and casualty figures presented by the coalition were not independently verified in the statement.
The youth organisations also alleged that individuals sponsoring armed groups were raising ₦20 million to finance media campaigns, court cases and petitions intended to frustrate security operations. They did not provide independently verified evidence to substantiate the claim.
The coalition called for an investigation into the allegations against security personnel, saying any confirmed misconduct should be addressed through appropriate legal and disciplinary procedures.
It warned against calls for the withdrawal of the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow from Plateau State, arguing that such a move could weaken ongoing security efforts and expose vulnerable communities to further attacks.
The group urged President Bola Tinubu and other Federal Government authorities to assess the competing allegations objectively, ensure that security agencies operate professionally and sustain efforts to protect lives and property.
“We smell a rat,” the coalition said, describing the petition and video as alleged attempts to distract security agencies from their operations.
It called on the public to support lawful security operations while encouraging transparency, accountability and cooperation among agencies working to restore peace in Plateau State.
The statement was jointly signed by Amb. Ezekiel Peter Bini, President of the Irigwe Youths Movement and Chairman of the Coalition; Mr Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, President of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association and Coordinator of the Northern Zone; Amb. Miri Timnan Nyantau, President of the Tarok Progressive Youths Association and Coordinator of the Southern Zone; and Mr Jonathan Kyesmang Yusuf, President of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement and Coordinator of the Central Zone.
