Police officers conducting a clearance operation in Plateau State reportedly had a confrontation with armed men suspected to be military personnel during a raid on a suspected militia hideout in Rafiki, Bassa Local Government Area, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 11:45 a.m., according to an eyewitness account contained in a video circulated on social media.
The video, shared by an anonymous source, allegedly shows police personnel confronting soldiers at a location suspected of being used by armed militia members and other criminal elements.
According to the source, a man identified as Major Chukwu, whose surname could not be independently confirmed, claimed to be the Sector 3 Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, the joint security operation in Plateau State.
The eyewitness further alleged that the confrontation began when police officers entered the area and encountered suspected militia members allegedly in possession of military-grade weapons.
The source also claimed that Major Chukwu was accompanied by armed men suspected of belonging to a militia group and the Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Bassa LGA, identified as Ya’u Idris, also known as Chachaba.
According to the account, the major and about 10 soldiers in military vehicles allegedly blocked the police convoy, preventing officers from accessing an area where security operations were underway.
The situation reportedly became tense before the police unit commander intervened, helping to prevent further escalation.
The source claimed that the military personnel subsequently withdrew from the scene, while the suspected militia members fled.
Police, Military Yet to Confirm Incident
As of the time of filing this report, attempts to reach the Plateau State Police Command’s Police Public Relations Officer for comments were unsuccessful.
The Media Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven, the security task force operating in Plateau State, said he would respond to inquiries.
The circumstances surrounding the reported confrontation, including the identities and affiliations of those involved, could not be independently verified as of press time.
Clearance Operations Across Plateau
The reported incident comes amid clearance operations targeting suspected bandits and armed groups in parts of Plateau State.
The operations have reportedly received support from residents of Shendam, Qua’an Pan, Bokkos, Bassa, Jos South and Jos East local government areas.
Supporters of the operations claim that security personnel have neutralised suspected bandits and destroyed hideouts, helping to restore confidence among residents in some affected communities.
However, the extent of the reported successes and the number of people affected could not be independently established from the available information.
The operations are being presented by supporters as part of Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu’s efforts to tackle insecurity and improve safety in rural communities.
Authorities have yet to provide an official account of the reported confrontation in Rafiki.
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