Plateau youth coalition slams Fulani community over allegations against DSS
Youth Coalition Responds to Allegations Against DSS in Barkin Ladi
A coalition of youth groups, operating under the Plateau Indigenous Youths Nationalities, has condemned allegations made by the Fulani community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area regarding the Directorate of State Services (DSS). The accusations claim that DSS operatives have engaged in intimidation, harassment, and sexual assault against women and girls during recent raids.
Last week, members of the Fulani community in Kwok alleged that their rights had been infringed upon by DSS operatives, who have reportedly conducted multiple raids in the area. Community leader Yusuf Muhammad shared these claims via a video posted on social media, alleging that security personnel not only assaulted residents but also destroyed property and conducted indiscriminate arrests.
“We wish to make it clear that the DSS has been harassing our people in the Kwok community,” Muhammad stated. He added that these actions included stealing valuables and sexually assaulting women, including married individuals.
In response, the coalition, comprising 11 indigenous youth associations, held a press conference in Jos on Wednesday to refute these claims. Coalition Chairman Amb. Ezekiel Peter Bini described the accusations as self-serving, filled with misinformation, and an attempt to divert attention from violence attributed to Fulani militias against local communities.
Bini further accused the Fulani community of fabricating allegations to distract security agencies, allowing acts of terrorism and land grabbing to continue unabated. He noted the ongoing violence has devastated rural communities in the region.
“For far too long, our communities have been places of bloodshed; ancestral lands invaded, villages desolated, and countless individuals live in fear and uncertainty,” Bini remarked. He characterized the situation in Plateau State as a persistent humanitarian crisis that has persisted despite various government interventions.
Barr. Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri, President of the Berom Youth-Moulders Association, also spoke at the conference, commending the establishment of a DSS operational camp in Barkin Ladi, which he said has offered hope to communities facing constant attacks. Mwantiri acknowledged a decline in incidents since the DSS deployment but expressed concern over the serious nature of the allegations against them.
“Allegations of misconduct must be addressed, but unverified claims should not be treated as fact,” he stated. He contended that allowing misinformation to permeate discussions only serves to encourage further violence and compromise national security.
Mwantiri also criticized the Fulani community, asserting that true violence has recently occurred in various localities, including Kum, Wereng-Camp, and Rim villages, where over 30 individuals were killed in one incident.
The coalition urged security agencies to remain focused on their mandate to protect citizens while calling for thorough investigations into any unfounded allegations that may obstruct their efforts. They affirmed their support for the DSS and other security organizations, underscoring the sacrifices made by law enforcement in the region.
