Plateau youths have rejected a petition alleging bias and discriminatory security operations towards Fulani communities, urging the Federal Government to not discontinue ongoing operations towards felony components in the state.
The Coalition of Plateau Indigenous Youth Bodies made its place recognized in a press release introduced at a press convention on the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ nationwide 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 businesses, significantly the Department of State Services, DSS, of alleged killings, abductions, cattle rustling, poisoning and taking pictures of cows belonging to members of the Fulani group.
The youths additionally criticised a video circulating on social media which allegedly portrayed the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow as working towards peace in Plateau State, whereas presenting the Nigerian Army as the one security company appearing in the general public curiosity.
The coalition described the petition and video as makes an attempt to distort the security state of affairs in the state and mislead the federal authorities and most of the people.
According to the coalition, the joint operations have yielded vital outcomes, together with the arrest of alleged militant leaders and a discount in assaults on communities and in the destruction of crops.
The assertion cited the arrest of Mahmoud Adams, whom it described as an alleged chief of Fulani militants, bandits and terrorists, as one of many outcomes of the security operations.
The youths maintained that that they had no proof linking the DSS or its personnel to the alleged killing, poisoning or rustling of cattle. They added that security personnel generally intercept cattle discovered grazing on folks’s farms.
The coalition additional alleged that security operatives had themselves suffered assaults whereas responding to misery calls from weak communities throughout Plateau State.
It cited an assault on a DSS base at Nding Sesut in Fan, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, on June 1, 2026, and an assault on Tanjol and Tarai villages on August 23, throughout which two DSS officers had been allegedly killed and their weapons taken.
The assertion additionally referred to the reported killing of Mobile Police officers in Dares and Kwi villages, in addition to the demise of DSP David Babale, an operations officer with Operation Rainbow, who was allegedly ambushed close to a army checkpoint round Rakok village.
The coalition known as for an intensive investigation into the allegations surrounding the security operations, together with claims of doable misconduct and collaboration between some security personnel and felony teams. It didn’t present impartial proof to substantiate the allegations towards army personnel.
It additionally alleged that some people had been mobilising funds to finance media campaigns and authorized actions aimed toward irritating the security operations. The assertion didn’t present proof to independently confirm the declare.
The youths warned that discontinuing the operations with out compelling justification might weaken efforts to guard communities and sort out insecurity in the state.
“The protection of innocent lives must take precedence over every personal, organisational or political interest,” the coalition mentioned.
It urged President Bola Tinubu and different Federal Government authorities to assist lawful security operations and guarantee accountability for anybody discovered to have violated the regulation.
The assertion was collectively 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 dedication to defending Plateau communities and known as for sustained security operations, stressing that efforts to revive peace should not be undermined by competing narratives or makes an attempt to defend felony components.
