A coalition of indigenous youth groups in Plateau State has warned against campaigns to discredit security agencies operating in the state, urging the Federal Government to sustain support for joint operations against insecurity.

The coalition, comprising youth organisations representing the Afizere, Anaguta, Atakar, Atten, Bache, Berom, Gamai, Irigwe, Kunlere, Mushere, Mwagavwul, Ron, Pan, Tarok and other ethnic nationalities, rejected a petition alleging biased and discriminatory security operations against Fulani communities.

It urged the Department of State Services (DSS), Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow should be supported to sustain their operations.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition at a press conference in Abuja, the Coordinator of Indigenous Youth Nationalities in the Northern Zone, Dalyop Mwantiri, said the petition, dated October 5, 2026, was intended to discredit security agencies and frustrate their operations in Plateau.

The said petition was reportedly 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 other groups.

The petitioners had expressed concerns over alleged discriminatory security operations against Fulani communities, accusing the DSS of responsibility for killings and abductions of members of the community, cattle rustling, poisoning of cattle and shootings of cows.

But the Plateau youth said the allegations were designed to mislead the Federal Government and the public, weaken collaboration among security agencies and pressure authorities to discontinue operations against armed groups in the state.

Present at the briefing were Amb. Ezekiel Peter Bini, President of the Irigwe Youths Movement and Chairman of the Coalition of Indigenous Youth Nationalities in Plateau State; 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.

Mwantiri identified five alleged objectives behind the campaign, including intimidating the Plateau State Director of the DSS, Paul Damian; discrediting the operations of the DSS, Mobile Police and Operation Rainbow; disrupting inter-agency collaboration; and portraying the Nigerian Army as the only effective security force in the state.

The coalition called for an investigation into the allegations and counter-allegations surrounding security operations in Plateau, including claims of possible compromise by some security personnel.

The coalition said joint operations by the DSS, Mobile Police and Operation Rainbow had contributed to arrests, reduced attacks on communities and curbed the destruction of crops.

It also alleged that armed groups had attacked security personnel and communities in different parts of the state, citing incidents in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas.

According to Mwantiri, two DSS operatives were killed during an attack on Tanjol and Tarai villages in Jol community on August 23, 2026, while their weapons were reportedly taken by the attackers.

The coalition further said mobile police officers had been killed in attacks on Dares and Kwi villages, while an operations officer of Operation Rainbow, DSP David Babale, was allegedly ambushed and killed near a military checkpoint around Rakok village, on the outskirts of Barkin Ladi.