By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor

The Coalition of Plateau State Indigenous Youth Bodies has raised concerns over what it described as a campaign to discredit the Director of Operations of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Mobile Police Force and the state security outfit, Operation Rainbow, amid ongoing security operations in Plateau State.

In a statement, the coalition said its concerns followed a petition dated October 5, 2026, signed by Mudahid Abdullahi, Esq., 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 groups. The petition reportedly accused security agencies of biased and discriminatory operations against Fulani communities and linked them to alleged killings, abductions, cattle rustling, poisoning and shooting of cows. The coalition also expressed concern over a video circulating on social media that questioned the conduct of the agencies while portraying the Nigerian Army as the only force acting in the interest of peace.

The youth coalition alleged that the petition and the video could misrepresent the security situation and undermine ongoing efforts to restore peace. It argued that the campaign could intimidate DSS State Director Paul Damian, discredit joint security operations, weaken collaboration among security agencies and local security volunteers, and disrupt intelligence sharing with vulnerable communities. These assertions represent the coalition’s position and have not been independently verified.

Defending the operations, the coalition said the joint activities of the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow had drawn attention to the alleged use of armed groups accompanying cattle herders to attack rural settlements and communities. It claimed to have documented at least 152 hamlets, villages and communities affected by such attacks. The group also maintained that cattle intercepted while grazing on farms were sometimes held by security personnel pending the identification of those responsible, rejecting allegations that the DSS director or his agency was involved in the killing or destruction of livestock.

The coalition further alleged that personnel of the DSS, Mobile Police Force, Operation Rainbow and local vigilante groups had themselves come under attack during security operations. According to the statement, a newly deployed DSS base at Nding Sesut, Fan District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, was attacked on June 1, 2026. It also alleged that armed assailants stormed Tanjol and Tarai villages in Jol community on August 23, killing two DSS officers and taking away their weapons before retreating towards Rankum, Mahanga, in Riyom Local Government Area.

The statement also reported the recent killings of Mobile Police officers in Dares and Kwi communities in Bokkos and Riyom local government areas, respectively. It further alleged that DSP David Babale, an operations officer with Operation Rainbow, was ambushed and killed near a military checkpoint around Rakok village, on the outskirts of Barkin Ladi town. The circumstances surrounding the reported incidents and the allegations against the perpetrators were not independently established in the statement.

The coalition called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and counterclaims surrounding the conduct of security agencies in Plateau State. It also urged authorities to examine claims of possible misconduct, compromise and collaboration between some security personnel and armed groups, stressing that any such allegations should be investigated and established through credible evidence. The group said the probe would help clarify the respective roles of the security agencies and address concerns about their operations.

The coalition also alleged that individuals backing the campaign were mobilising about ₦20 million to finance media activities, petitions and court cases aimed at frustrating the security operations. It did not provide independently verifiable evidence for the funding allegation. The coalition urged the relevant authorities to assess the competing claims objectively, while calling for sustained inter-agency cooperation and community engagement to address insecurity in Plateau State. The petitioners’ response to the coalition’s allegations was not included in the statement.