The Headquarters of the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF-OPEP), has clarified the circumstances surrounding a viral video showing an encounter between its troops and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, October 25, 2026, and signed by the Media Information Officer, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, the task force said the troops responded to a distress call on October 20 following reports of sporadic gunfire in Mai Farin Moto, Maraban Dere and neighbouring communities.
The statement added that the troops were also informed of the killing of a local resident, identified as Mr Adamu Suleiman, prompting their deployment to assess the security situation, establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and prevent further escalation.
According to the task force, the troops, upon arrival, attempted to engage police personnel operating in the area to clarify the situation and coordinate a joint security response. However, the interaction was reportedly 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 maintained that the deployment was necessitated by an operational distress call and was carried out in the interest of public safety. It added that issues arising from the encounter were being addressed through appropriate command and inter-agency channels to establish the facts and prevent a recurrence.
The task force reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality, professionalism and the protection of lives and property, stressing that effective security operations depend on cooperation, mutual respect and adherence to established procedures among security agencies.
It also urged members of the public and media practitioners to verify information before publication and avoid spreading unsubstantiated accounts capable of undermining public confidence or disrupting relations among security agencies.
The statement assured residents of Plateau State of the task force’s continued commitment to maintaining law and order, protecting innocent citizens and strengthening peace and security across its joint operations area.
