…Coalition alleges plot to frustrate security operations, demands probe into claims of military complicity

A coalition of indigenous youth organisations in Plateau State has urged President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government not to succumb to calls for the removal of the state Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Paul Damian, alleging that a petition against security agencies in the state was designed to undermine ongoing operations against armed groups.

The coalition, comprising youth bodies representing the Afizere, Anaguta, Atakar, Atten, Bache, Berom, Gamai, Irigwe, Kunlere, Mushere, Mwagavwul, Ron, Pan and Tarok communities, made the appeal at a press conference held at the national secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja, on Wednesday.

The group accused organisations representing Fulani interests of attempting to discredit the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Plateau State security outfit, Operation Rainbow, through a petition dated October 5, 2026, and a video circulating on social media.

The petition, signed by Mudahid 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 groups, reportedly alleged biased and discriminatory security operations against Fulani communities.

The petitioners also accused the DSS of responsibility for alleged killings and abductions of Fulani community members, cattle rustling, poisoning and shootings of cattle.

However, the indigenous youth coalition rejected the allegations, insisting that they could undermine security operations and cooperation among agencies working to restore peace in the state.

“We smell a rat in the ongoing campaign of calumny orchestrated against the Director of Operations of the DSS, the Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow,” the coalition said.

It alleged that the petition and accompanying video were intended to distort the security situation in Plateau State, mislead the Federal Government and weaken operations against armed groups.

The coalition identified five alleged objectives of the campaign, including intimidating and blackmailing Damian, discrediting security operations, disrupting inter-agency collaboration, discouraging intelligence sharing with vulnerable communities and portraying the Nigerian Army as the only effective security force in the state.

The group said the joint operations of the DSS, Mobile Police and Operation Rainbow had helped expose what it described as the use of cattle grazing alongside armed militants and bandits as a strategy for attacking and occupying communities.

According to the coalition, at least 152 hamlets, villages and communities had suffered attacks, displacement or other forms of violence linked to the activities of armed groups.

It, however, did not provide the list of affected communities in the statement made available to journalists.

The coalition also denied that the DSS director or his agency was involved in the alleged killing or poisoning of cattle, claiming that security personnel sometimes intercepted cattle grazing on farms and detained them pending the identification of those responsible.

“We are witnesses to incidents where cattle are intercepted by security agents while mischievously grazing on people’s farms, either in broad daylight or at night, and are necessarily held in the custody of security agents until the culprits are identified or fished,” the statement said.

Attack claims

Citing incidents it said demonstrated the dangers faced by security personnel, the coalition alleged that armed groups had continued to ambush DSS operatives, mobile policemen, Operation Rainbow personnel and local vigilantes.

It claimed that armed attackers struck a newly deployed DSS base at Nding Sesut, Fan, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on June 1, 2026.

The coalition further alleged that more than 400 armed men attacked Tanjol and Tarai villages in Jol community on August 23, killing two DSS officers and carting away their weapons, including a machine gun and an AK-47 rifle.

According to the statement, the attackers subsequently retreated towards their alleged hideout in Rankum, Mahanga, in Riyom Local Government Area.

The group also cited the reported killing of mobile policemen at Dares and Kwi villages in Bokkos and Riyom local government areas, respectively, as well as the death of Operation Rainbow’s operations officer, DSP David Babale, who it said was ambushed near a military checkpoint around Rakok village, on the outskirts of Barkin Ladi.

It further recalled injuries sustained by DSS operatives allegedly ambushed at Kantoma and Alohgom communities in Mangu Local Government Area while responding to distress calls from residents under attack.

The coalition’s claims about the incidents, including the circumstances surrounding the attacks and the identities of those responsible, could not be independently verified from the statement.

Demand for investigation

In a further allegation, the coalition claimed that armed groups and their alleged sponsors were raising N20 million to finance media campaigns, petitions and court actions aimed at frustrating the security operations.

It specifically mentioned Daily Trust as a publication through which it alleged the campaign was being pursued, but provided no evidence to substantiate the claim.

The coalition also called for a thorough investigation into allegations of unprofessional conduct, corruption, compromise and complacency involving some military personnel, including claims of possible collusion with armed groups.

It did not provide evidence establishing such collusion, stressing instead that the allegations warranted investigation.

“The coalition of indigenous youth bodies smells a rat in any campaign that seeks to portray the Nigerian Army as the only effective force while discrediting the operations of other security agencies,” the statement said.

The group maintained that the DSS, Mobile Police and Operation Rainbow had recorded significant results, including the arrest of suspected ringleaders and other alleged perpetrators of violence, as well as a reduction in mass attacks and crop destruction.

It cited the arrest of Ardo Mahmoud Adams, whom it described as a prominent alleged leader of Fulani militants, bandits and terrorists, as one of the outcomes of the security operations.

The coalition argued that allegations of discrimination should not be used to undermine legitimate security operations, while insisting that all agencies and individuals must remain accountable under the law.

“If the Federal Government gives in to this ploy or is cajoled into surrendering to terrorists and the cunning manipulations of detractors, then let it be abundantly known that there is no hope for peace and tranquillity on the Plateau and, indeed, Nigeria,” it said.

The statement urged the Federal Government to ensure that security operations were not discontinued or weakened without compelling justification, adding that Damian should not be removed or redeployed merely to satisfy the demands of petitioners.

‘Protect the people’

The coalition said its position was not an endorsement of impunity but a demand for the continuation of lawful security operations and accountability for anyone found to have acted outside the law.

“We will not accept selective narratives against security agencies while neglecting the suffering of communities or attacks against personnel deployed to protect them,” it said.

It called on the Federal Government and relevant authorities to prioritise the protection of innocent lives, strengthen intelligence sharing and ensure effective collaboration among security agencies and local communities.

“Plateau State cannot afford to have its security operations weakened by ploys and strategies of manipulation. The protection of innocent lives must take precedence over every personal, organisational or political interest,” the statement added.

The statement was jointly endorsed by Amb. Ezekiel Peter Bini, President of the Irigwe Youths Movement and chairman of the coalition; Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, Esq., President of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association and northern zone coordinator; Amb. Miri Timnan Nyantau, President of the Tarok Progressive Youths Association and southern zone coordinator; and Jonathan Kyesmang Yusuf, President of the Mwagavwul Youths and central zone coordinator.

The coalition concluded by reiterating its commitment to the protection of Plateau communities and the continuation of lawful security operations, declaring: “Protect the people, confront criminality.”

Editorial note: Before publication, independently verify the reported attacks and casualties, the alleged N20 million fundraising effort, and the claims concerning military personnel. The reference to Daily Trust should also be supported by evidence and an opportunity for response. The allegations should remain attributed to the coalition unless independently established.