Operation Enduring Peace: Troops Responded to Distress Call Over Gunfire, Killing in Plateau – JTF

Operation Enduring Peace: Troops Responded to Distress Call Over Gunfire, Killing in Plateau — JTF

The Joint Task Force says troops deployed to Bassa LGA to investigate reports of sporadic gunfire and the killing of a resident, while reaffirming its commitment to professionalism and inter-agency cooperation.

The Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, has clarified that its troops responded to a distress call over sporadic gunfire and the reported killing of a resident in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State before an encounter with 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 issued on Sunday, October 25, 2026, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, said troops of Sector 3, Operation ENDURING PEACE, were deployed on October 20 following reports of gunfire in Mai Farin Moto, Maraban Dere and adjoining communities, as well as the killing of a local resident identified as Mr Adamu Suleiman.

According to the statement, the troops were dispatched to assess the security situation, establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, prevent further escalation and protect lives and property.

Upon 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 interaction was characterised by what the task force described as a lack of cooperation from some police personnel, despite efforts by the troops to de-escalate tensions and maintain operational discipline.

The JTF stressed that the military personnel’s intervention was prompted by an operational distress call and undertaken in the interest of public safety.

It described as unfortunate any narrative that disregards the circumstances necessitating the troops’ deployment, urging the public to consider the incident within its proper operational context.

Reaffirming its commitment to impartiality, professionalism and the protection of lives and property, Operation ENDURING PEACE emphasised that effective security operations depend on cooperation among relevant agencies.

The task force noted that inter-agency coordination, mutual respect, adherence to established procedures and unity of effort were essential to achieving sustainable peace and security in Plateau State.

It added that issues arising from the incident were being addressed through appropriate command and inter-agency channels to establish the facts, preserve operational cohesion and prevent a recurrence.

The statement also urged members of the public and media practitioners to verify information before publication and avoid disseminating 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.

The incident comes amid continuing security challenges in parts of Plateau State, where effective collaboration among security agencies remains critical to protecting vulnerable communities and preventing further violence.