In a statement issued on Monday by its Media Information Officer, Captain Chinonso Oteh, the task force said its personnel were responding to a distress call reporting sporadic gunfire and the killing of a resident when the encounter occurred.

According to the statement, troops from Sector 3 received the report on October 20, 2026, concerning incidents in Mai Farin Moto, Maraban Dere and neighbouring communities in Bassa LGA. The deceased resident was identified as Adamu Suleiman.

The task force said the troops were deployed to assess the security situation, establish the circumstances surrounding the reported killing, prevent further escalation and protect lives and property.

It explained that upon arriving in the area, the soldiers attempted to engage police personnel operating there to clarify the situation and coordinate their response.

However, the military task force alleged that some police personnel did not cooperate with its troops despite efforts to ease tensions and maintain discipline.

Operation Enduring Peace maintained that its deployment followed an operational distress call and was intended to protect the public. It urged people to assess accounts of the incident in light of the circumstances described by the task force.

The organisation added that issues arising from the encounter were being handled through established command structures and discussions between the relevant security agencies. It said the process was intended to establish the facts, strengthen cooperation and prevent a recurrence.

The clarification followed the circulation of a video on social media that reportedly showed a tense encounter between police officers and armed men believed to be soldiers during an operation in the Rafiki area of Bassa LGA. Some accompanying accounts made allegations about the circumstances of the confrontation, but those claims have not been independently established.

The task force urged journalists and members of the public to verify information before sharing it, warning that unsubstantiated reports could undermine public confidence and damage relationships between security agencies.

It reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order across Plateau State, protecting residents and supporting efforts to consolidate peace in its operational area.

The incident has drawn attention to the importance of clear communication and coordination between security agencies conducting operations in the same area. A transparent account of what happened will be important in resolving outstanding questions and maintaining public confidence.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia