Plateau Youth Coalition Seeks Probe of Alleged Military Collusion With Armed Groups in Nigeria
The groups say at least 152 communities have been hit by attacks, and they are defending security agencies that Fulani organizations accuse of bias.
See where this is ›ABUJA, Nigeria —
A coalition of indigenous youth groups from Nigeria's Plateau State called on Wednesday, Oct. 21, for an investigation into alleged collusion between some military personnel and armed groups, according to Premium Times and Voice of Nigeria. The groups spoke at a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists' FCT Council in Abuja. International Christian Concern reported on the statement Oct. 28 and described those behind it as Christian leaders.
See where this is ›The Coalition of Plateau Indigenous Youth Nationalities is chaired by Ezekiel Peter Bini, president of the Irigwe Youths Movement. Other signers were Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, president of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association; Miri Timnan Nyantau, president of the Tarok Progressive Youths Association; and Jonathan Kyesmang Yusuf, president of the Mwaghavul Youth Movement.
The coalition was answering a petition dated Oct. 5 and filed for the Plateau chapters of MACBAN, GAFDAN, FUYODA and other groups. The petition accuses the Department of State Services, also called the State Security Service, of biased operations against Fulani communities. It links the agency to killings, abductions, cattle rustling and the poisoning and shooting of cattle.
See where this is ›Mwantiri said he knew of no involvement by the agency or its Plateau director, Paul Damian, in killings, poisonings or rustling. He said cattle found grazing on residents' farms were being held until those responsible could be identified. Yielding to the petition, he warned, would mean “there is no hope for peace and tranquillity on the Plateau.”
The coalition said at least 152 hamlets, villages and communities have been affected by attacks. It cited an Aug. 23 attack on Tanjol and Tarai villages in the Jol community, where it said two security officers were killed, and an ambush near a military checkpoint around Rakok village, outside Barkin Ladi, involving David Babale, an operations officer with the state's Operation Rainbow. It credited joint operations by the agencies and local volunteers with arrests and fewer mass attacks.
ICC reported on Oct. 4 that 27 Christians were killed within seven days across the Bokkos, Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu local government areas, citing eyewitnesses and local sources. Amnesty International said in May 2025 that at least 2,630 people had been killed in Plateau during the first two years of the current administration, a figure that covers armed violence generally. Premium Times said tensions in the state involve farming, herding, armed groups and land.
What we don't know yet: The reports carry no response from the petitioners, the army or the security agencies, and neither the coalition's figures nor the petition's claims have been independently confirmed. Voice of Nigeria said Babale was killed and Premium Times said he was ambushed, and the two outlets give different police ranks for him. Watchman News could not confirm the details independently.
