The Nigerian military has dismissed accusations that its personnel supported those behind the Palm Sunday terrorist attack in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos North Local Government Area, insisting that such claims are untrue and capable of damaging ongoing security efforts.

In a statement released on Tuesday by the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, and signed by its Media Information Officer, Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, the force reacted to a viral allegation made by a community youth leader who claimed soldiers assisted the attackers during the incident that reportedly led to multiple deaths.

The military said it felt obligated to address the allegation despite the prevailing atmosphere of mourning, emphasizing the need to correct what it described as misleading information. It firmly stated that at no time did its troops provide any form of support or protection to those responsible for the attack.

According to the task force, its personnel responded promptly after receiving a distress call, but by the time they arrived at the scene, the attackers had already escaped. It noted that troops acted swiftly and professionally to prevent further escalation and pursued the fleeing suspects, a response it said was witnessed by survivors present during the incident.

The statement further revealed that four gun trucks were deployed to reinforce security in the affected area. Upon arrival, the troops reportedly carried out their duties effectively, a claim the military said was corroborated by other security agencies and eyewitness accounts.

Following an internal review, the military maintained that the allegation against its personnel was baseless. It warned that spreading such claims could undermine morale among troops and strain the relationship between security forces and the communities they are tasked to protect.

Residents were urged to disregard the accusations, remain calm, and continue cooperating with security agencies by providing useful information that could aid in tackling criminal activities.

The task force also reassured people in Plateau State that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest those responsible for the attack, adding that security operatives remain committed to restoring peace and dealing decisively with criminal elements across the state.