By Festus Fifen

A coalition of indigenous youth groups from Plateau State on Wednesday rejected a petition by Fulani associations accusing security agencies of bias, and called on the Federal Government not to remove the state’s Department of State Services (DSS) director.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Coalition of Indigenous Youth Nationalities in Plateau State, which includes Irigwe, Berom, Tarok, Mwagavwul, Atten, Ron and other groups, said it “smells a rat” in what it called a campaign to discredit the DSS, the Mobile Police Force and the state security outfit Operation Rainbow.

The coalition was responding to a petition dated October 5, 2026, signed by lawyer Mudahid Abdullahi on behalf of the Plateau chapters of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN), the Fulbe Youth Development Association (FUYODA) and others.

According to the coalition, the petition alleges biased and discriminatory operations against Fulani communities and seeks to hold the DSS responsible for killings, abductions, cattle rustling, and the poisoning and shooting of cows.

The coalition also cited a video circulating on social media, including Facebook, which it said claims the DSS, Mobile Police and Operation Rainbow are not serving peace, while portraying the Nigerian Army as the only force that acts properly.

The youth leaders said the petition and video were meant to mislead federal authorities and the public. They listed five alleged objectives: to intimidate DSS State Director Paul Damian; to discredit operations that led to the arrest of Ardo Mahmoud Adams, described as a ringleader of militants; to disrupt or end joint operations involving local security volunteers; to discourage intelligence sharing between security agencies and vulnerable communities; and to present the Army as the only effective force.

The coalition said it has no evidence that Damian or the DSS were involved in killings, poisoning or cattle rustling. It said cattle found grazing on farms are intercepted and held by security agents until their owners are identified. It also claimed to have a list of at least 152 hamlets, villages and communities affected by what it described as a strategy of occupation involving armed men grazing cattle.

The group called for an investigation into allegations of unprofessional conduct and collusion with armed groups by some Army personnel, claims it said have been made against some soldiers. The statement offered no evidence for the allegations against the Army.

The coalition cited a series of attacks on security operatives, which it attributed to Fulani militants

The coalition further alleged that the petitioners’ sponsors are raising N20 million to fund media campaigns, court cases and petitions to frustrate the security crackdown.

The group said that if the Fulani associations are seeking the end of current operations, “the entire world” should regard them as enemies of the state, peace and progress. It warned that if the President and other federal authorities yield to the petitioners, there would be “no hope for peace and tranquillity” on the Plateau.

It urged that Damian not be removed or redeployed, and called on the government to encourage the DSS, Mobile Police, Operation Rainbow and vigilante groups to intensify operations.

In its concluding remarks, the coalition said it stands for “the protection of Plateau communities, the continuation of lawful and effective security operations, and accountability for every individual found to have acted outside the law.”

The statement was signed by Ezekiel Peter Bini, president of the Irigwe Youths Movement and coalition chairman; Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, president of the Berom Youths Moulders Association and Northern Zone coordinator; Miri Timnan Nyantau, president of the Tarok Progressive Youths Association and Southern Zone coordinator; and Jonathan Kyesmang Yusuf, of the Mwagavwul yout

hs, Central Zone coordinator.