A coalition of indigenous youth organizations in Plateau State has accused some Fulani groups of orchestrating what it described as a campaign of calumny against security agencies to undermine ongoing anti-insurgency operations in the state.
The coalition alleged that petitions and viral social media videos accusing security operatives of bias, killings and other criminal activities were designed to discredit the Department of State Services (DSS), the Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow.
Addressing a press conference at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, in Abuja on Wednesday, the coalition urged the Federal Government to protect the security agencies from what it described as political and criminal pressure aimed at frustrating their operations.
The press conference was led by Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, Esq., President of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association and Coordinator of Indigenous Youth Nationalities, Northern Zone.
The coalition, comprising youth organisations representing the Afizere, Anaguta, Atakar, Atten, Bache, Berom, Gamai, Irigwe, Kunlere, Mushere, Mwaghavul, Ron, Pan, Tarok and other indigenous communities, described the allegations against the security agencies as a distraction that could undermine efforts to restore peace in Plateau State.
The group, however, called for investigations into any credible allegations of misconduct by security personnel, insisting that ongoing security operations should continue while the authorities establish the facts.
The coalition said its reaction followed a petition dated October 5, 2026, reportedly 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 conducting biased and discriminatory operations against Fulani communities and blamed the DSS for alleged killings and abductions of Fulani residents, cattle rustling, and the poisoning and shooting of cattle.
It also referred to a video circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms, which allegedly portrayed the Nigerian Army as the only security agency acting in the interest of peace in Plateau State.
The indigenous youth leaders rejected the allegations, describing the petition and video as attempts to misrepresent the security situation and mislead government authorities and members of the public.
They identified five alleged objectives of the campaign: 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 collaboration and intelligence sharing; and portraying the Nigerian Army as the only effective security agency in the state.
The coalition maintained that joint operations by the three security outfits had helped expose what it described as a pattern in which cattle were allegedly grazed alongside armed militants responsible for attacks on communities.
It claimed that at least 152 hamlets, villages and communities had suffered attacks and occupation.
The group also denied allegations of killings and cattle rustling against Damian and the DSS, explaining that cattle intercepted while grazing on farmlands were being held pending the identification of their owners and the alleged perpetrators.
The coalition further alleged that armed militants had continued to ambush security operatives deployed to protect vulnerable communities.
It cited the June 1, 2026, attack on a newly deployed DSS base at Nding Sesut, Fan, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, as well as the August 23 attack on Tanjol and Tarai villages in Jol community.
According to the group, more than 400 militants attacked the communities, ambushed and killed two DSS officers, and carted away their rifles before retreating to Rankum, in the Mahanga area of Riyom Local Government Area.
The coalition also alleged that Mobile Police Force officers were killed about two weeks before the press conference in attacks on Dares and Kwi villages in Bokkos and Riyom local government areas, respectively.
It further 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.
Similar attacks, the group said, had occurred at Kantoma and Alohgom in Mangu Local Government Area.
The youth organisations also alleged that individuals sponsoring the militants were mobilising ₦20 million to finance media campaigns, court cases and petitions aimed at frustrating the security agencies’ operations.
The allegations were not independently established in the statement, and the groups accused in the coalition’s account were not represented in the press conference as described in the material provided.
Despite its strong defence of the security agencies, the coalition called for a thorough investigation into allegations of unprofessional conduct, compromise and collusion involving some military personnel.
It maintained that any credible evidence of wrongdoing should be investigated, while warning against demands for the withdrawal of the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow from Plateau State.
According to the coalition, withdrawing the agencies amid ongoing attacks could further expose vulnerable communities to violence and displacement.
The group appealed to President Bola Tinubu and other Federal Government authorities not to be swayed by what it described as attempts to manipulate public opinion and frustrate the security operations.
“We smell a rat,” the coalition declared, describing the petition and circulating video as “ploys and strategies of distraction.”
It urged the Federal Government to encourage and strengthen collaboration among security agencies rather than take actions that could weaken ongoing 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 Jonathan Kyesmang Yusuf, President of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement and Coordinator, Central Zone.
