Troops arrest fake security operatives, kill three militants in Plateau operations

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, say they have arrested two suspected impostors and killed three armed men during coordinated operations in Plateau State, in what authorities describe as a significant step towards restoring security.

In a statement signed by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, the task force said soldiers responding to reports of sporadic gunfire in the Dutse Uku area of Jos North Local Government Area at about 23:45 on Thursday intercepted two individuals allegedly posing as security operatives. The suspects, dressed in black tactical uniforms, were accused of setting residential properties on fire and instigating violence within the community.

The statement added that the suspects are now in military custody, while two civilians who sustained gunshot wounds during the incident were evacuated by troops to a medical facility, where they are said to be in stable condition. The military said the arrests undermine claims circulating in some quarters that security forces were involved in the unrest, insisting that criminal elements have been disguising themselves as personnel to carry out attacks and discredit the armed forces.

The operation in Jos North was followed by another engagement in Karem, Wase Local Government Area, where troops on heightened alert intercepted a group of suspected militants travelling on motorcycles. According to the military, the suspects opened up to contact but fled under sustained fire, with three of them killed during the exchange. Others escaped into surrounding areas.

The task force said the recent successes coincided with the deployment of additional troops, including specialised counter-terrorism units, ordered earlier on Thursday by the Chief of Army Staff. It described the reinforcement as a “game-changer” that has strengthened operational capacity and improved rapid response across volatile areas of the state. Authorities say the military remains committed to dismantling criminal networks and restoring normalcy, warning that armed groups and other violent actors will be decisively dealt with.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements or activities as operations continue.