Plateau Security: Indigenous Youths Warn Against Attempts to Frustrate DSS, Police Operations
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 criminality, describing recent petitions and viral social media videos as attempts to undermine ongoing security operations.
The coalition urged the Federal Government to protect the security agencies from what it described as political pressure and a campaign of calumny, while calling for sustained joint operations to tackle insurgency and attacks on communities across the state.
The position was made known on Wednesday during a press conference at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the President of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association and Coordinator of Indigenous Youth Nationalities, Northern Zone, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, accused some Fulani organisations of attempting to discredit security agencies through petitions and social media campaigns.
He, however, called for investigations into any credible allegations of misconduct by security personnel.
The coalition comprises youth organisations representing the Afizere, Anaguta, Atakar, Atten, Bache, Berom, Gamai, Irigwe, Kunlere, Mushere, Mwaghavul, Ron, Pan, Tarok and other indigenous ethnic groups in Plateau State.
Coalition Rejects Petition Against DSS
The group said its attention had been drawn to a petition dated October 5, 2026, signed by Mujahid Abdullahi, Esq., on behalf of the Plateau chapters of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN), Fulbe Youth Development Association (FUYODA) and other organisations.
According to the coalition, the petition accused security operatives of biased and discriminatory operations against Fulani communities and held the DSS responsible for alleged killings and abductions of Fulani residents, cattle rustling, and the poisoning and shooting of cattle.
The coalition also referred to a video circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms, which allegedly portrayed the Nigerian Army as the only security agency working in the interest of peace in Plateau State.
It dismissed the petition and the video as attempts to distort the facts, mislead government authorities and influence public opinion against the security agencies.
Youths List Five Alleged Objectives
The coalition identified five objectives it believed were behind the alleged campaign.
These include intimidating and blackmailing the Plateau State Director of the DSS, Mr Paul Damian; discrediting the operations of the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow; disrupting joint security operations involving local security volunteers; discouraging inter-agency cooperation and intelligence sharing; and portraying the Nigerian Army as the only effective security agency in the state.
The group linked its concerns to the reported arrest of a suspected militant leader, Ardo Mahmoud Adams, which it said resulted from the joint operations of the security agencies.
It maintained that efforts to discredit the agencies could weaken ongoing operations and undermine the fight against insecurity.
The allegations made by the coalition have not been independently verified.
Coalition Alleges Attacks on Communities, Security Personnel
Presenting what it described as the facts surrounding the controversy, the coalition alleged that joint security operations had uncovered a pattern in which cattle were grazed alongside armed militants who allegedly attacked and occupied communities.
It claimed that at least 152 hamlets, villages and communities had suffered attacks linked to the alleged activities.
The group denied that Paul Damian and the DSS were involved in killings or cattle rustling, adding that cattle intercepted while grazing on farmlands were held pending the identification of their owners and the alleged perpetrators.
It further accused armed Fulani militants of carrying out ambushes against security operatives in different parts of the state.
The coalition cited an alleged attack on a newly deployed DSS base at Nding Sesut, Fan, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, on June 1, 2026.
It also referred to an alleged August 23, 2026, attack on Tanjol and Tarai villages in the Jol community, claiming that more than 400 militants attacked the communities, ambushed and killed two DSS officers, and seized their rifles before retreating towards Rankum in the Mahanga area of Riyom Local Government Area.
The group further alleged that Mobile Police Force officers were killed about two weeks ago in Dares and Kwi villages in Bokkos and Riyom local government areas, respectively.
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 coalition, similar ambushes had occurred in Kantoma and Alohgom communities in Mangu Local Government Area.
The claims were presented by the coalition and were not independently verified.
Youths Call for Investigation into Alleged Security Compromise
Despite its defence of the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow, the coalition called for a thorough investigation into allegations of unprofessional conduct, compromise and collusion involving some Nigerian Army personnel.
It said any credible allegations against security personnel should be investigated to establish the facts and ensure accountability.
The coalition also alleged that individuals sponsoring armed militants were raising ₦20 million to fund media campaigns, court cases and petitions aimed at frustrating security operations.
It did not provide independently verified evidence to substantiate the allegation.
The group warned that any attempt to force the withdrawal of the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow from Plateau State could undermine ongoing efforts to protect communities and prevent further displacement.
Coalition Appeals to Tinubu
The indigenous youth organisations appealed to President Bola Tinubu and other Federal Government authorities not to be swayed by what they described as attempts to manipulate public opinion and obstruct security operations.
“We smell a rat,” the coalition declared, describing the petition and the circulating video as “ploys and strategies of distraction.”
It urged the government to encourage and support security agencies carrying out their duties rather than subjecting them to what it described as arbitrary removal or unjustified pressure.
The coalition stressed that sustained cooperation among security agencies was essential to addressing insecurity in Plateau State.
It also maintained that allegations of wrongdoing should be investigated without allowing unverified claims to derail legitimate security operations.
The statement was jointly signed by Amb. Ezekiel Peter Bini, President of the Irigwe Youths Movement and Chairman of the Coalition; Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, President of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association and Coordinator, Northern Zone; Amb. Miri Timnan Nyantau, President of the Tarok Progressive Youths Association and Coordinator, Southern Zone; and Mr Jonathan Kyesmang Yusuf, President of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement and Coordinator, Central Zone.
