The Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, has clarified that its troops were responding to a distress call over sporadic gunfire and the reported killing of a resident in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State when they encountered personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
The clarification follows the circulation of a viral video showing an encounter between troops and police personnel in the area.
In a statement, the Media Information Officer of Operation ENDURING PEACE, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, said troops of Sector 3 responded to the distress call on October 20, 2026, following reports of sporadic gunfire in Mai Farin Moto, Maraban Dere and adjoining communities, as well as the reported killing of a local resident, Mr Adamu Suleiman.
According to the statement, the troops were deployed to assess the security situation, establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, prevent further escalation and protect lives and property.
On arrival, the troops reportedly sought to engage police personnel operating in the area to clarify the situation and facilitate a coordinated security response.
However, the task force 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.
Operation ENDURING PEACE stressed that the deployment was prompted by an operational distress call and carried out in the interest of public safety, urging the public to consider the circumstances surrounding the incident before accepting contrary narratives.
The task force reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality, professionalism and the protection of lives and property, emphasising that effective security operations depend on inter-agency cooperation, mutual respect, adherence to established procedures and a unified approach to addressing security challenges.
It added that issues arising from the encounter were being addressed through appropriate command and inter-agency channels to establish the facts, sustain operational cohesion and prevent a recurrence.
The statement also urged members of the public and media practitioners to verify information before publication and avoid circulating unsubstantiated accounts capable of undermining public confidence or straining relations among security agencies.
Operation ENDURING PEACE 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.
