Date: April 3, 2026 l Reporter: Musa Muhammad
The Nigerian military has strongly denied allegations that its personnel aided gunmen responsible for the deadly Palm Sunday attack in Jos, Plateau State, describing the claims as false and misleading.
The denial follows accusations circulating in parts of the community suggesting that soldiers may have supported or facilitated the attackers during the assault in Anguwan Rukuba, which resulted in multiple deaths.
In a statement issued by the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, the military insisted that at no time did its troops provide assistance or protection to those behind the attack. It emphasized that such allegations are unfounded and capable of undermining ongoing security efforts in the region.
According to the military, troops were deployed immediately after receiving a distress call from the affected area. However, by the time they arrived, the attackers had already fled the scene.
The task force stated that its personnel acted swiftly and professionally upon arrival, pursuing the fleeing suspects and working to prevent further escalation of violence. It added that the response was witnessed by residents and corroborated by other security agencies present in the area.
The military also revealed that additional reinforcements, including multiple gun trucks, were deployed to secure the community and restore order following the incident.
Following an internal review, the armed forces maintained that the accusations against its personnel were baseless. Officials warned that spreading such claims could damage troop morale and weaken trust between security agencies and the communities they are tasked to protect.
Residents were urged to disregard the allegations and continue cooperating with security forces by providing credible information that could assist in identifying and apprehending those responsible for the attack.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace in Plateau State, stating that operations are ongoing to track down the perpetrators and ensure justice for the victims of the Palm Sunday massacre.