Plateau: Military Explains Circumstances of Troops’ Encounter with Police
The military has explained the circumstances surrounding a viral video showing an encounter between troops and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Headquarters Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, said the troops were responding to a distress call over sporadic gunfire and the reported killing of a resident when the incident occurred on October 20, 2026.
In a statement issued on Sunday, October 25, the task force said troops of Sector 3 were deployed to Mai Farin Moto, Maraban Dere and adjoining communities to assess the security situation, establish the circumstances of the incident, prevent escalation and protect lives and property.
The statement, signed by the Media Information Officer, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, said the distress call also reported the killing of a local resident, identified as Mr Adamu Suleiman.
According to the task force, the troops, upon arriving in the affected area, sought to engage police personnel operating there to clarify the situation and facilitate a coordinated security response.
It, however, said the interaction was characterised by a lack of cooperation from some police personnel, despite efforts by the troops to de-escalate tensions and maintain operational discipline.
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“The Joint Task Force emphasises that the troops’ intervention was prompted by an operational distress call and undertaken in the interest of public safety,” the statement said.
It urged the public to consider the circumstances that necessitated the deployment when assessing accounts of the incident circulating online.
Operation ENDURING PEACE reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality, professionalism and the protection of lives and property, stressing that effective security operations depend on cooperation among agencies.
The task force said the incident was being addressed through appropriate command and inter-agency channels to establish the facts, sustain operational cohesion and prevent a recurrence.
It added that inter-agency coordination, mutual respect, adherence to established procedures and unity of effort remained essential to the effectiveness of the joint security arrangement.
The task force also urged members of the public and media practitioners to verify information before publication and refrain from disseminating unsubstantiated accounts that could undermine public confidence or disrupt relations among security agencies.
It assured residents of Plateau State of its continued commitment to maintaining law and order, protecting innocent citizens and consolidating peace and security across its joint operations area.
By PRNigeria
