A coalition of indigenous youth groups in Plateau State has rejected a petition against the Department of State Services (DSS), Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow, accusing Fulani organisations of orchestrating what it described as a campaign to discredit security agencies and frustrate ongoing anti-insurgency operations.
The coalition made its position known at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, where it urged the Federal Government to resist what it called political and criminal pressure against security agencies operating in the state.
The group, led by the President of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association and Coordinator of Indigenous Youth Nationalities, Northern Zone, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, said recent petitions and viral social media videos alleging bias and misconduct by security operatives were designed to derail joint security operations.
The coalition comprises youth organisations representing the Afizere, Anaguta, Atakar, Atten, Bache, Berom, Gamai, Irigwe, Kunlere, Mushere, Mwaghavul, Ron, Pan and Tarok communities, among others.
The youth leaders said their position followed a petition dated October 5, 2026, signed by Mujahid Abdullahi 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 groups.
The petition alleged discriminatory operations against Fulani communities and accused the DSS of responsibility for killings and abductions, cattle rustling, and the poisoning and shooting of cattle.
A video circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms reportedly made similar allegations, claiming that the Nigerian Army was the only security agency genuinely committed to restoring peace in Plateau.
However, the indigenous youth coalition dismissed the allegations as an attempt to distort facts and mislead the Federal Government and the public.
According to the group, the campaign was aimed at intimidating Plateau DSS Director, Paul Damian; discrediting the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow; disrupting joint security operations; weakening inter-agency intelligence sharing; and portraying the Army as the only effective security agency in the state.
The coalition said the three agencies had played a significant role in ongoing operations, including the reported arrest of a suspected militant leader, Ardo Mahmoud Adams.
It alleged that security operations had uncovered a pattern in which cattle were allegedly grazed alongside armed militants who subsequently attacked and occupied communities.
The group claimed that at least 152 hamlets, villages and communities had been affected by such attacks.
It also denied allegations that Damian and the DSS were involved in killings or cattle rustling, saying cattle intercepted while grazing on farmlands were kept pending the identification of their owners and investigation into alleged offences.
The coalition further alleged that armed groups had repeatedly attacked security personnel deployed to the state.
It cited an alleged June 1 attack on a newly deployed DSS base at Nding Sesut, Fan, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, and an August 23 attack on Tanjol and Tarai villages in Jol community.
According to the group, more than 400 militants attacked the communities, killing two DSS officers and taking away their rifles before retreating to Rankum in the Mahanga area of Riyom Local Government Area.
The coalition also alleged that Mobile Police Force personnel were killed two weeks ago in Dares and Kwi villages in Bokkos and Riyom local government areas.
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.
The group said similar attacks had occurred at Kantoma and Alohgom in Mangu Local Government Area.
The coalition also alleged, without providing evidence, that sponsors of armed groups were raising N20 million to fund media campaigns, court cases and petitions aimed at frustrating security operations.
It called for an investigation into allegations of unprofessional conduct, compromise and collusion involving some Army personnel.
The youth leaders warned that withdrawing the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow from Plateau would weaken the security response and potentially expose communities to further attacks and displacement.
They urged President Bola Tinubu and other Federal Government authorities to sustain joint security operations and investigate all allegations of misconduct rather than withdraw security agencies from the state.
“We smell a rat,” the coalition said, describing the petition and viral video as “ploys and strategies of distraction” that should not be allowed to derail ongoing operations.
The statement was 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.