The Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace has dismissed allegations that troops provided cover for perpetrators of the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba community, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, describing the claim as false and misleading.
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The allegation, which was made by a youth leader and circulated on social media, suggested that soldiers aided the attackers during the violent incident. However, the task force said the accusation was unfounded, insisting that troops responded promptly after receiving a distress call.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of the task force, Chinonso Oteh, it was stated that troops swiftly mobilised to the scene of the attack, which was reportedly far from their deployment location, only to discover that the assailants had already fled.
“At no point did troops provide any form of cover for the terrorist elements who carried out the unfortunate attack that claimed the lives of innocent citizens. Rather, troops on receiving a distress call on the incident swiftly mobilised to the scene, which was far away from where they were deployed and observed that the attackers had fled,” the statement read.
Oteh added that the troops acted professionally in efforts to prevent further violence and immediately pursued the fleeing attackers, noting that this account was corroborated by survivors and other security agencies at the scene.
He disclosed that four gun trucks were deployed to the community, stressing that the responding personnel worked to prevent what could have escalated into wider bloodshed.
“Specifically, four gun trucks mounted by troops were dispatched to the incident scene, and they acted professionally on arrival, as confirmed by other security agencies, as well as eyewitnesses at the scene of the attack. Nonetheless, the allegation was promptly investigated and confirmed to be false,” he said.
The task force further described the allegation as capable of undermining troop morale and creating disaffection between the military and host communities, urging the public to disregard the claim and continue supporting security operations with credible information.
“The comment by the youth leader is false, misleading and unfortunate, capable of demoralising troops and causing disaffection between the military and its host community. The public is requested to discountenance the comment, remain calm, law-abiding and continue to support troops with credible and actionable information,” the statement added.
Oteh also said troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, had adopted strategies to track down the perpetrators, assuring residents that efforts were ongoing to sustain peace across Plateau State.
Gunmen had reportedly attacked Angwan Rukuba, killing an unconfirmed number of residents and injuring several others, an incident that triggered widespread condemnation.
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, had described the attack as heinous and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Following the incident, the Plateau State Government imposed a curfew on Jos North Local Government Area. However, the restriction has now been eased due to improved security conditions.
The Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, announced in a statement that the curfew adjustment takes effect from April 1, 2026, allowing movement daily between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
She said the decision followed a relative calm in the area after the attack, adding that residents are now permitted to resume lawful activities within the stipulated hours.
Ramnap urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, while assuring that security agencies would continue to monitor developments closely. She also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
Authorities said the relaxation of the curfew was part of ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace following the deadly attack that left at least 28 people dead.
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