Plateau youths allege plot to discredit DSS, security agencies

Indigenous youth organisations in Plateau State have accused suspected Fulani groups of planning a counter-propaganda campaign to discredit the Department of State Services, the Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow over ongoing security operations in the state.

Press statement signed and issued on Saturday by the leaders, including Ezekiel Peter Bini, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, Miri Timnan Nyantau and Jonathan Kyesmang Yusuf, the coalition alleged that the planned propaganda against the security would include claims of genocide, the supply of drones to indigenous communities and tribal bias by the Plateau State Director of the DSS, Paul Damian.

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The group claimed that the planned campaign would portray joint security operations as a genocide against Fulani communities, alleging that the objective was to weaken public confidence in the security agencies and halt intelligence-led operations against armed groups in Plateau State.

The coalition which comprising youth organisations representing several indigenous ethnic groups in the state, said the operations had contributed to a reduction in attacks and improved the safety of communities previously affected by killings, kidnappings, displacement and destruction of farmlands.

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It would be recalled that during a Press Conference recently the group urged the Federal Government to sustain the joint operations in Plateau State for yielding positive result.

The youth leaders dismissed the allegations as an attempt to undermine the DSS and other security agencies, insisting that complaints against security operations should be subjected to independent investigation rather than used to weaken efforts against armed groups.

They also rejected the alleged claim that the DSS was supplying drones to local communities to monitor Fulani herders, describing the allegation as unsubstantiated.

The coalition argued that aerial surveillance was a legitimate security tool for protecting civilians, monitoring criminal activities and improving troop safety.

The group further accused the alleged propagandists of attempting to portray Damian as biased because of his ethnic background and his role in intelligence-led operations across parts of Plateau State.

It questioned why the DSS director had not previously been accused of discrimination over the agency’s operations in Wase Local Government Area, where the coalition said the security presence had helped to disrupt bandit and terrorist cells.

The coalition said the current allegations emerged only after security operations were extended to areas including Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos, Jos South, Mangu and Riyom.

The youth organisations maintained that the campaign was designed to intimidate security officials, discredit the DSS, Mobile Police Force and Operation Rainbow, disrupt inter-agency cooperation and discourage intelligence sharing.

The group called on the Federal Government, the international community and the public to independently verify all allegations relating to the operations. It also demanded an impartial inquiry into claims of human rights abuses and misconduct by security personnel.

“We stand firmly with the DSS, Mobile Police and Operation Rainbow,” the coalition said, urging the agencies to remain focused on restoring peace while protecting all communities, regardless of ethnic or religious identity.

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The coalition warned that withdrawing the security agencies could expose vulnerable communities to renewed attacks and displacement. It urged the authorities to strengthen inter-agency coordination and prosecute anyone found to be spreading false information or obstructing lawful security operations.

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