The Nigerian Army’s Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, has explained the circumstances surrounding a viral video showing an encounter between soldiers and police officers in Plateau State, urging the public to remain calm and support security operations.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 26, 2026, the task force said its troops were responding to a distress call reporting sporadic gunfire and the killing of a resident in Bassa Local Government Area when the encounter occurred. <Cite refs={[“turn151816news0″,”turn151816search1”]}/>
According to the statement signed by the task force’s Media Information Officer, Captain Chinonso Oteh, troops of Sector 3 received the distress call on October 20, concerning incidents in Mai Farin Moto, Maraban Dere and neighbouring communities.
The report also included the killing of a resident identified as Adamu Suleiman.
The task force explained that the troops were deployed to assess the security situation, establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, prevent further escalation and protect lives and property.
Army Cites Lack of Cooperation
The military said its personnel attempted to engage the police officers operating in the area to clarify the situation and coordinate an appropriate security response.
However, it alleged that the interaction was characterised by a lack of cooperation from some police personnel, despite efforts by the troops to ease tensions and maintain operational discipline.
The task force maintained that the deployment was prompted by an operational distress call and undertaken in the interest of public safety.
It urged members of the public to consider the circumstances surrounding the deployment when assessing accounts of the incident circulating on social media.
Investigation and Inter-Agency Coordination
Operation Enduring Peace reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, impartiality and the protection of lives and property.
The task force noted that effective security operations depend on cooperation among security agencies, mutual respect, adherence to established procedures and coordinated action.
It added that issues arising from the encounter were being addressed through appropriate command and inter-agency channels to establish the facts, maintain operational cooperation and prevent a recurrence.
The military also appealed to journalists and social media users to verify information before publishing or sharing it, warning that unsubstantiated accounts could undermine public confidence and strain relations between security agencies.
Appeal to Plateau Residents
The task force assured residents of Plateau State of its continued commitment to maintaining law and order and strengthening security across its operational area.
It urged members of the public to cooperate with security personnel and avoid spreading unverified information about ongoing operations.
The incident has drawn attention to the importance of coordination between the military and police, particularly when both agencies are operating in areas affected by insecurity.
As the relevant authorities address the circumstances surrounding the encounter, the task force has called for cooperation and professionalism to remain central to efforts to protect communities across Plateau State.
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