Plateau Indigenous Youth Coalition defends DSS, Police, Operation Rainbow

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, describing recent petitions and viral social media videos as attempts to undermine ongoing security operations.

The coalition called on the Federal Government to protect the agencies from what it described as political and criminal pressure while ensuring that any credible allegations of wrongdoing are properly investigated.

The position was presented at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday by Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, President of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association and Coordinator of Indigenous Youth Nationalities, Northern Zone.

Mwantiri accused groups representing Fulani interests of attempting to discredit joint security operations through petitions and social media campaigns. He maintained that such campaigns could distract security agencies from their efforts to tackle insurgency and other security threats in Plateau State.

The coalition urged the Federal Government to sustain ongoing operations and strengthen collaboration among security agencies rather than withdraw personnel based on allegations that have yet to be independently established.

The group comprises youth organisations representing ethnic communities, including the Afizere, Anaguta, Atakar, Atten, Bache, Berom, Gamai, Irigwe, Kunlere, Mushere, Mwaghavul, Ron, Pan and Tarok, among others.

Coalition Challenges Petition Against Security Agencies

Addressing journalists at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, the coalition said it was responding to a petition dated October 5, 2026, reportedly signed by Mujahid Abdullahi 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 of conducting biased and discriminatory operations against Fulani communities.

The petitioners also reportedly blamed the DSS for alleged killings and abductions of Fulani residents, cattle rustling, and incidents involving the poisoning and shooting of cattle.

The youth coalition disputed those allegations, arguing that the petition and a video circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms presented a misleading account of security operations in the state.

The video, according to the coalition, portrayed the Nigerian Army as the only security institution acting in the interest of peace in Plateau.

The group argued that the petition and video could undermine public confidence in other security agencies involved in joint operations.

Five Alleged Objectives Identified

The coalition outlined five objectives it believed were behind the campaign against the security agencies.

These included allegedly intimidating and discrediting the Plateau State Director of the DSS, Mr Paul Damian; undermining the work of the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow; disrupting joint operations involving local security volunteers; discouraging inter-agency cooperation and intelligence sharing; and portraying the Nigerian Army as the only effective security force in the state.

The coalition also credited the joint operations with contributing to the arrest of a militant leader, Ardo Mahmoud Adams, whom it described as notorious.

The circumstances surrounding the arrest and the allegations against Adams were not independently established in the statement.

Coalition Alleges Attacks on Communities and Security Personnel

Presenting what it described as its account of events in Plateau, the coalition alleged that armed militants had attacked and occupied communities while cattle were being grazed on surrounding farmlands.

It claimed that at least 152 hamlets, villages and communities had suffered attacks linked to the pattern it described.

The group denied that Paul Damian and the DSS were responsible for killings or cattle rustling. It said cattle intercepted while grazing on farmlands were being held pending efforts to identify their owners and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offences.

The coalition further alleged that armed Fulani militants had repeatedly ambushed security personnel and attacked communities in different parts of the state.

It cited an alleged June 1, 2026, attack on a newly deployed DSS base at Nding Sesut, Fan, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

It also referred to an alleged August 23, 2026, attack on Tanjol and Tarai villages in Jol community.

According to the coalition, more than 400 militants attacked the communities, killing two DSS officers during an ambush and taking away their rifles before retreating towards Rankum in the Mahanga area of Riyom Local Government Area.

The group also alleged that Mobile Police Force officers were killed about two weeks before the press conference in Dares and Kwi villages in Bokkos and Riyom local government areas, respectively.

Additionally, it claimed that DSP David Babale, the Operations Officer of Operation Rainbow, was ambushed and killed near a military checkpoint around Rakok village, on the outskirts of Barkin Ladi.

The coalition cited alleged attacks at Kantoma and Alohgom in Mangu Local Government Area as further examples of the security challenges confronting the state.

These accounts and casualty claims were presented by the coalition and were not independently verified in the information provided.

Alleged Funding of Media Campaigns

The youth organisations also alleged that individuals sponsoring armed militants were raising ₦20 million to finance media campaigns, court cases and petitions intended to frustrate security operations.

The coalition did not provide independently verifiable evidence of the alleged fundraising or identify those it accused of sponsoring the campaign.

It nevertheless called for a thorough investigation into allegations of unprofessional conduct, compromise and collusion involving some Army personnel.

The group said any credible evidence of misconduct by security personnel should be investigated, while warning against actions that could undermine cooperation among the agencies involved in the state’s security operations.

It also cautioned that calls to withdraw the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow from Plateau State could weaken ongoing efforts to protect communities and prevent further displacement.

“We smell a rat,” the coalition said, describing the petition and video as “ploys and strategies of distraction.”

The group urged President Bola Tinubu and other Federal Government authorities to examine the allegations carefully and avoid decisions based solely on what it characterised as attempts to manipulate public opinion.

Coalition Names Signatories

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 for the Northern Zone; Amb. Miri Timnan Nyantau, President of the Tarok Progressive Youths Association and Coordinator for the Southern Zone; and Jonathan Kyesmang Yusuf, President of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement and Coordinator for the Central Zone.

The coalition called for continued support for security agencies operating in Plateau State, alongside investigations into any credible allegations of misconduct.

It maintained that sustained cooperation among security agencies, local security volunteers and relevant authorities was necessary to address insecurity and protect affected communities.

Follow Very Nigerian WhatsApp Channel
For Verified Breaking News, Exclusive Reports, Trending Stories, And Real-time Updates.
CLICk HERE TO JOIN!