The Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE has dismissed as “false and misleading” a viral social media comment accusing troops of collaborating with attackers during the Palm Sunday assault on Angwan Rukuba Community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the military high command refuted allegations made by a youth leader from the affected community, who claimed that security forces provided cover for the terrorists responsible for the attack, which claimed the lives of several innocent citizens.
The statement was signed by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE. Captain Oteh noted that while the command ordinarily would not have engaged with such comments during a period of mourning, the need to set the record straight for well-meaning Nigerians became necessary.
According to the statement, troops did not at any time provide cover for the perpetrators. Instead, upon receiving a distress call, personnel swiftly mobilized to the scene from their deployment location, which was considerable distance away. By the time they arrived, the attackers had fled.
“Troops acted professionally to avert what could have spiraled to endless bloodshed and pursued the fleeing criminals as can be attested to, by so many survivors who were at the scene of the attack,” the statement read in part.
The military noted that four gun trucks were dispatched to the incident scene, and their professional conduct upon arrival was confirmed by other security agencies and eyewitnesses. An investigation into the youth leader’s allegation was promptly conducted and similarly confirmed to be baseless.
Describing the comment as “capable of demoralizing troops and causing disaffection between the Military and its host community,” Captain Oteh urged the public to disregard the allegation and remain calm.
The command assured residents that troops, in conjunction with other security agencies, have adopted effective strategies to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the attack, vowing to deal decisively with criminals while maintaining peace across Plateau State.
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