By Fatima Saka
Indigenous youth organisations in Plateau State have called for an investigation into allegations that ₦20 million is being raised to finance media campaigns and legal actions aimed at frustrating security operations against armed militants in the state.
The coalition, which accused Fulani groups of attempting to discredit security agencies, urged the Federal Government to sustain joint operations involving the Department of State Services (DSS), Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, President of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association and Coordinator of Indigenous Youth Nationalities, Northern Zone, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, said petitions and videos accusing security operatives of bias and criminality could undermine efforts to restore peace in Plateau.
He, however, called for a thorough investigation into allegations of unprofessional conduct, compromise and collusion involving some military personnel, stressing that any verified misconduct should be addressed.
The coalition was reacting to 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 organisations.
The petitioners had accused security operatives of biased and discriminatory operations against Fulani communities, alleging that the DSS was responsible for killings, abductions, cattle rustling, and the poisoning and shooting of cattle.
A video circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms reportedly made similar allegations and portrayed the Nigerian Army as the only security agency working in the interest of peace in Plateau State.
However, the indigenous youth coalition dismissed the allegations as misleading, claiming that the petition and video were intended to intimidate the Plateau State Director of the DSS, Paul Damian, discredit joint security operations and discourage intelligence sharing among security agencies.
The group further alleged that the campaign was aimed at disrupting operations involving local security volunteers and weakening the collaboration among the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow.
According to the coalition, joint operations had exposed a pattern in which cattle were allegedly grazed alongside armed militants involved in attacks and the occupation of communities.
It claimed that at least 152 hamlets, villages and communities had suffered attacks, while insisting that the DSS director and his personnel were not responsible for killings or cattle rustling.
The coalition said cattle intercepted while grazing on farmlands were being held pending the identification of their owners and the alleged perpetrators.
It also accused armed militants of repeatedly ambushing security personnel, citing attacks on security installations and communities across Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas.
The group specifically referenced an alleged June 1, 2026, attack on a newly deployed DSS base at Nding Sesut, Fan, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
It also cited an alleged August 23 attack on Tanjol and Tarai villages in Jol community, claiming that more than 400 militants attacked the communities, killed two DSS officers during an ambush and seized 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.
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, while similar attacks had occurred at Kantoma and Alohgom in Mangu Local Government Area.
The allegations made by the coalition, including the claim about funds allegedly being raised to frustrate security operations, were not independently verified.
The youth organisations warned that withdrawing the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow from Plateau State could undermine efforts to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further attacks and displacement.
They appealed to President Bola Tinubu and other Federal Government authorities to sustain security operations and inter-agency collaboration while ensuring that credible allegations of misconduct were investigated.
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“We smell a rat,” the coalition said, describing the petition and circulating video as alleged attempts to distract security agencies from their operations.
The statement was jointly signed by Amb. Ezekiel Peter Bini, President of the Irigwe Youths Movement and Chairman of the Coalition; Mwantiri; 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.
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