Plateau Youth Groups Allege “Distraction Tactics” Behind Renewed Attacks, Urge Expansion of DSS Operations
Eleven indigenous youth associations in Plateau State on Tuesday accused “Fulani occupiers of grabbed lands” at Kwok, also known as “Ruga Jalo” in Barkin Ladi LGA, of using “fictitious claims and false alarms” to distract security agencies and enable further attacks on communities.
Addressing journalists at the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Jos, the Afizere, Anaguta, Atakar, Aten, Berom, Irigwe, Kulere, Mushere, Mwaghavul, Pan and Ron Youths, in conjunction with the Coalition of Plateau State Indigenous Youths Bodies, said the pattern has worsened what they described as a “protracted humanitarian catastrophe” in Plateau.
The groups led by Amb. Ezekiel Peter Bini, State Coalition Chairman, and Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, Northern Zone Coalition Chairman, said the deployment of a Department of State Services operational camp in Barkin Ladi in May 2026 brought measurable relief.
They claimed that “no fewer than 200 persons” were killed in the area in the 5 months before the deployment.
After the camp repelled an attack on 1st June 2026, only one major incident was recorded, the killing of three vigilantes in Sabon Layi on 4th July 2026.
However, the youth leaders alleged that viral claims accusing DSS personnel of sexually harassing Fulani women during operations in Kwok/Ruga Jalo surfaced just as the operations began yielding results.
“To the best of our knowledge, based on information from credible sources within the affected communities, there was no element or trace of sexual harassment, intimidation, burning of houses, or destruction of property,” the statement read.
The groups described the allegations as “propaganda strategically employed to whittle down the ongoing crackdown,” while also stating that “allegations of misconduct against any security agency must never be dismissed” and deserve “prompt, impartial and transparent investigation.”
The youth bodies linked the allegations to a spike in violence.
They alleged that shortly after the claims gained prominence, militants from Ruga Jalo joined fighters from Fass in Jol Community and attacked Kum village in Riyom LGA on the night of 14th July, “brutally murdering a 3-months old baby and 8 other innocent persons, mostly women.”
They added that Tanjol and Vwak hamlets in Jol and Wereng-Rim in Riyom were also invaded that night, with one person, Mr. Mangai Musa, killed and two vigilantes injured.
“This has become an all-too-familiar sequence whenever sustained security pressure begins to restrict the activities of terrorists, narratives capable of distracting public attention often emerge, only to be followed by renewed attacks,” the statement said.
The groups called on the Federal Government and Plateau State Government to replicate the Barkin Ladi “intelligence-led security architecture” in Riyom, Bokkos, Mangu, Bassa, Jos South, Kanam and Quan-Pan LGAs.
They also demanded action to “dislodge criminal occupiers from illegally acquired territories” and urged citizens to provide credible intelligence.
“The era in which terrorists dictate the rhythm of life in Plateau State must come to an end. Enough is enough! The blood of our people cries out not for vengeance, but for justice,” the statement concluded.
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