Indigenous Youth Groups Back DSS, Dismiss Harassment Allegations as Distraction
By Comfort Pius , Jos
A coalition of Plateau State indigenous youth associations on Wednesday threw its weight behind the Department of State Services (DSS), dismissing allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation against its operatives in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area as a deliberate attempt to undermine ongoing intelligence-led operations against terrorists and bandits.
The position was contained in a joint press statement presented at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Jos by the Afizere, Anaguta, Atakar, Atten, Berom, Irigwe, Kunlere, Mushere, Mwagavwul, Pan and Ron Youth Associations in conjunction with the Coalition of Plateau State Indigenous Youths Bodies.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the State Chairman of the Coalition of Indigenous Youth Nationalities, Amb. Ezekiel Peter Bini, said the deployment of a DSS operational camp to Barkin Ladi in May 2026 had significantly improved security and reduced attacks in communities that had suffered years of killings and displacement.
According to him, the intelligence-driven operations of the DSS restored confidence among residents and brought renewed hope to communities that had long lived under the threat of violent attacks.
“The sustained intelligence-driven operations of the DSS significantly reduced the frequency of attacks and rekindled hope that peace could gradually return to communities long abandoned to fear,” he said.
The coalition rejected allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation and other forms of misconduct levelled against DSS personnel during operations around Kwok, also known as “Ruga Jalo,” describing them as false and intended to divert attention from ongoing security operations.
While acknowledging that allegations against security personnel should always be investigated thoroughly and transparently, the coalition maintained that, based on information available to it from affected communities, there was no evidence to support the claims circulating in the public domain.
It further alleged that shortly after the allegations gained widespread attention, fresh attacks occurred in parts of Riyom Local Government Area, leading to the deaths of several residents and raising concerns among communities already affected by years of violence.
The coalition urged security agencies not to be distracted by what it described as unsubstantiated allegations but to remain focused on intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating in Plateau State.
It also called on the Plateau State Government to deepen collaboration with the DSS and other security agencies by extending the intelligence-led security model introduced in Barkin Ladi to other vulnerable local government areas, including Riyom, Bokkos, Mangu, Bassa, Jos South, Kanam and Qua’an Pan.
Reaffirming its support for lawful and professional security operations, the coalition urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible intelligence while rejecting misinformation capable of undermining efforts to restore peace and security across the state.
The statement was jointly signed by the State Chairman of the Coalition of Indigenous Youth Nationalities, Amb. Ezekiel Peter Bini, and the Northern Zone Chairman of the Coalition of Indigenous Youth Nationalities, Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri.
