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JTF-OPEP says troops responded to a distress call over sporadic gunfire and the suspected killing of a resident in Bassa LGA.
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The military denies allegations that soldiers blocked police personnel from pursuing suspected criminals in the area.
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Task force alleges that some police personnel failed to cooperate during efforts to coordinate a joint security response.
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Command and inter-agency channels are addressing the incident as the military pledges to prevent a recurrence and sustain peace in Plateau.
October 26, (THEWILL) – The Special Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF-OPEP) has denied reports of a clash between its troops and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, explaining that the encounter followed a distress call over sporadic gunfire and the suspected killing of a resident.
The task force said its troops were deployed to the affected communities on October 20 to assess the security situation after reports of gunshots in Mai Farin Moto, Maraban Dere and adjoining communities, alongside the suspected killing of a resident identified as Adamu Suleiman.
The clarification followed the circulation of videos and photographs on social media showing what was alleged to be a confrontation between military and police personnel.
Reports surrounding the incident claimed that troops had prevented police operatives from pursuing suspected criminals in the area, raising concerns about coordination between security agencies operating in the state.
However, the task force dismissed the reports as a misrepresentation of the encounter, insisting that its personnel were responding to an operational distress call in the interest of public safety.
The Media Officer of JTF-OPEP, Capt. Polycarp Oteh, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
According to Oteh, troops from Sector 3 were deployed following reports of sporadic gunfire in the affected communities and information about the suspected killing of Suleiman.
He said the troops were tasked with establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident, preventing further escalation and protecting lives and property.
“On Oct. 20, troops of our Sector 3, responded to a distress call reporting sporadic gunfire in Mai Farin Moto, Maraban Dere and adjoining communities. This is alongside reports of the suspected killing of a resident, Mr Adamu Suleiman,” he said.
Oteh explained that upon arriving at the affected area, the troops sought to engage police personnel already operating there to clarify the situation and coordinate their response.
He, however, alleged that the engagement was hampered by a lack of cooperation from some police personnel, despite efforts by the military to ease tensions and maintain operational discipline.
“Regrettably, the interaction was characterised by a lack of cooperation from some personnel despite efforts to de-escalate tensions and maintain operational discipline,” he said.
The task force maintained that its intervention was prompted by the distress call and was intended to address the security situation rather than obstruct police operations.
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Oteh said JTF-OPEP remained committed to impartiality, professionalism and the protection of lives and property, stressing that cooperation among security agencies was critical to effective operations.
He noted that the joint security arrangement depended on inter-agency coordination, mutual respect, compliance with established procedures and a unified approach to tackling security threats.
“As a joint security arrangement, our operational effectiveness depends on inter-agency coordination, mutual respect, adherence to established procedures and unity of effort,” he said.
The media officer disclosed that issues arising from the encounter were being addressed through appropriate command and inter-agency channels to establish the facts, preserve operational cohesion and prevent a recurrence.
The task force also urged journalists and members of the public to verify information before publishing or circulating reports, emphasising the importance of accuracy and professionalism in reporting security incidents.
Oteh assured residents of Plateau State that the operation would continue to work towards maintaining law and order, protecting innocent civilians and consolidating peace and security across its joint operations area.
JTF-OPEP reiterated its commitment to maintaining security in Plateau State and urged residents to remain cautious about unverified information while security agencies continue their operations.
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Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
