A group of youth organizations from Plateau State has come out in defense of the State Security Service (SSS), the Mobile Police Force, and the state security team, Operation Rainbow. They are pushing the federal government not to stop their operations despite claims of bias and misconduct.
The coalition is also asking for an investigation into claims that some military personnel are working with armed groups in the state.
The groups shared their views during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday. They accused those petitioning against the security agencies and sharing videos on social media of trying to damage their reputation and disrupt ongoing efforts against armed groups in Plateau State.
Dalyop Mwantiri, the president of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association and Coordinator of Indigenous Youth Nationalities in the Northern Zone, spoke for the coalition. He said they suspect there is a hidden agenda behind the attacks on security agencies, especially against the SSS State Director, Paul Damian.
“The Plateau State Coalition of Indigenous Youth Bodies smells a rat in the ongoing campaign of calumny orchestrated against the person of the Director, Operations of the DSS, the Mobile Police Force and the Plateau State security outfit, Operation Rainbow,” Mr Mwantiri said.
This response comes after a petition dated October 5, signed by Mudahid Abdullahi 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), and the Fulbe Youth Development Association (FUYODA), among others.
The coalition stated that the petition accused the SSS of bias and unfair treatment toward Fulani communities. It also claimed that the agency was responsible for killings, kidnappings of Fulani residents, cattle rustling, poisoning cattle, and shooting cows.
They pointed out a video circulating online that allegedly shows the SSS, the Mobile Police Force, and Operation Rainbow acting against the peace of the state. The video suggests that the Nigerian Army is the only security agency meeting the petitioners’ expectations.
Mr Mwantiri said that the petition and video were aimed at twisting the facts in Plateau State and misleading the Federal Government and the public.
The coalition highlighted five main goals behind this campaign. These include intimidating Mr Damian, discrediting the security agencies, disrupting joint operations, discouraging intelligence sharing, and portraying the Nigerian Army as the only effective force against insecurity in the state.
They argued that the joint operations have achieved positive results. This includes the arrest of suspected leaders of armed groups and a decrease in attacks on communities and the destruction of crops.
Mr Mwantiri mentioned that they have recorded at least 152 hamlets, villages, and communities affected by attacks and displacement.
“Since the commencement of joint operations involving the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow, the Indigenous Youth Bodies and, indeed, all other peace-loving Nigerians have come to be more aware that the practice and sinister motive behind grazing cattle with batches of militants, bandits as well as terrorist elements carrying lethal weapons and attacking hamlets, villages and communities is a strategy of war and forceful occupation of territory,” he said.
He denied that the SSS director or the agency was involved in killings, poisoning, or cattle rustling.
“To the best of our knowledge, Mr Paul Damian, the Director of DSS and, indeed, his agency, is not involved in killings, poisoning and/or rustling of cattle,” he said.
Mr Mwantiri added that the coalition has seen cases where security agents have stopped cattle grazing on farms and detained them until they identify those responsible.
They also pointed out that armed groups have attacked security personnel meant to protect communities in the state.
The coalition mentioned an attack on a SSS base at Nding Sesut, Fan district, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on June 1, 2026, and another attack on Tanjol and Tarai villages in Jol community on August 23, 2026, where they claimed two DSS officers were killed and their weapons taken.
They further alleged that Mobile Police officers were killed in attacks on Dares and Kwi villages in Bokkos and Riyom local government areas, respectively, about two weeks before the press conference.
The coalition recalled the killing of David Babale, an assistant superintendent of police and operations officer with Operation Rainbow, who was ambushed near a military checkpoint around Rakok village, on the outskirts of Barkin Ladi.
They said SSS personnel also suffered injuries in separate ambushes at Kantoma and Alohgom in Mangu Local Government Area while responding to distress calls from communities under attack.
The coalition called for an investigation into claims of unprofessional behavior and possible collusion involving some military personnel and armed groups.
Mr Mwantiri said the video showing the Nigerian Army as the only capable security force should also be looked into.
“The Coalition of Indigenous bodies ‘smell a rat’ such as the one in the video that prefers the Nigerian Army against the transparent and effective operations mounted by the DSS and other security agencies calls for thorough investigation,” he said.
They also alleged that groups involved in the violence are raising ₦20 million for media campaigns and court actions to disrupt security operations, but they did not provide proof.
The coalition warned against stopping the joint operations. They said this could weaken efforts to protect vulnerable communities.
“If Mr President and, indeed, other Federal authorities give in to this ploy or are cajoled into surrendering to terrorists and 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,” Mr Mwantiri said.
They urged President Bola Tinubu and other federal authorities to support the ongoing operations and opposed any sudden removal or redeployment of Mr Damian.
The coalition said the SSS, Mobile Police Force, Operation Rainbow, and local vigilantes should be encouraged to continue their lawful operations against armed groups.
“The protection of innocent lives must take precedence over every personal, organisational or political interest,” the coalition said.
Plateau State has faced ongoing attacks, killings, and displacement, amid tensions between farming and pastoral communities, armed groups, and competing claims over land and security.
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