In a statement released on Tuesday, the Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) has refuted claims of a physical altercation between its troops and the Nigeria Police Force in Plateau State. The statement, attributed to the Commander of OPEP, Major General Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, was in response to a viral video that had been circulating on social media showing an alleged confrontation between the two security agencies at Rafiki area of Bassa Local Government Area.
According to the leaked video, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force were seen engaging OPEP troops in a heated exchange, with some residents attempting to intervene. However, the OPEP has categorically denied any such incident, stating that the video is a manipulated fabrication designed to create unnecessary tension and confusion. The Commander further emphasized the need for all security agencies to maintain unity and collaborate effectively in the ongoing fight against insecurity in Plateau State.
It’s important to note that this development comes amidst increased concerns over the escalating violence and communal conflicts in several parts of Plateau State. The state has been grappling with a spate of killings and displacement of thousands of residents in recent months.
The OPEP, comprising of personnel from the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Navy, and the Department of State Services (DSS), was deployed to Plateau State in 2018 to curb the wave of killings and restore peace. While the force has been credited with some successes in the fight against insecurity, the ongoing violence continues to pose a significant challenge to the security situation in the state.
By
