Plateau youths reject petition alleging bias in security operations, back crackdown on criminals

Plateau youths have rejected a petition alleging bias and discriminatory security operations against Fulani communities, urging the Federal Government not to discontinue ongoing operations against criminal elements in the state.

The Coalition of Plateau Indigenous Youth Bodies made its position known in a statement presented at a press conference at the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.

The coalition was reacting to a petition dated October 5, 2026, signed by Mudahid 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 others.

The petition accused security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services, DSS, of alleged killings, abductions, cattle rustling, poisoning and shooting of cows belonging to members of the Fulani community.

The youths also criticised a video circulating on social media which allegedly portrayed the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow as working against peace in Plateau State, while presenting the Nigerian Army as the only security agency acting in the public interest.

The coalition described the petition and video as attempts to distort the security situation in the state and mislead the federal government and the general public.

According to the coalition, the joint operations have yielded significant results, including the arrest of alleged militant leaders and a reduction in attacks on communities and in the destruction of crops.

The statement cited the arrest of Mahmoud Adams, whom it described as an alleged leader of Fulani militants, bandits and terrorists, as one of the outcomes of the security operations.

The youths maintained that they had no evidence linking the DSS or its personnel to the alleged killing, poisoning or rustling of cattle. They added that security personnel sometimes intercept cattle found grazing on people’s farms.

The coalition further alleged that security operatives had themselves suffered attacks while responding to distress calls from vulnerable communities across Plateau State.

It cited an attack on a DSS base at Nding Sesut in Fan, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, on June 1, 2026, and an attack on Tanjol and Tarai villages on August 23, during which two DSS officers were allegedly killed and their weapons taken.

The statement also referred to the reported killing of Mobile Police officers in Dares and Kwi villages, as well as the death of DSP David Babale, an operations officer with Operation Rainbow, who was allegedly ambushed near a military checkpoint around Rakok village.

The coalition called for a thorough investigation into the allegations surrounding the security operations, including claims of possible misconduct and collaboration between some security personnel and criminal groups. It did not provide independent evidence to substantiate the allegations against military personnel.

It also alleged that some individuals were mobilising funds to finance media campaigns and legal actions aimed at frustrating the security operations. The statement did not provide evidence to independently verify the claim.

The youths warned that discontinuing the operations without compelling justification could weaken efforts to protect communities and tackle insecurity in the state.

“The protection of innocent lives must take precedence over every personal, organisational or political interest,” the coalition said.

It urged President Bola Tinubu and other Federal Government authorities to support lawful security operations and ensure accountability for anyone found to have violated the law.

The statement was jointly signed by Amb. Ezekiel Peter Bini, Chairman of the Coalition of Plateau Indigenous Youth Bodies; Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, Coordinator of the coalition’s Northern Zone; Amb. Miri Timnan Nyantau, Southern Zone Coordinator; and Jonathan Kyesmang Yusuf, Central Zone Coordinator.

The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Plateau communities and called for sustained security operations, stressing that efforts to restore peace must not be undermined by competing narratives or attempts to shield criminal elements.