Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force under the instruction of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu conducting clearance operation across Plateau State have reportedly clashed with armed men suspected to be military personnel during a raid on a suspected bandit hideout in the Rafiki area of Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at about 11:45 a.m.
According to a leaked video circulated on social media by an anonymous eyewitness, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, operating under the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, were seen confronting soldiers at an area suspected to be a hideout for armed militia members and other criminal elements.
According to eyewitness accounts, the soldiers were allegedly led by a man identified as Major Chukwu, whose surname remains unknown, who claimed to be the Sector 3 Commander of the Special Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace.
The eyewitnesses stated that the incident, which reportedly became tense, began when police personnel stormed the area and spotted militia members in possession of military-grade weapons. The source further alleged that Major Chukwu was seen in the company of armed militia members and the Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Bassa LGA, identified as Ya’u Idris, also known as Chachaba.
Furthermore, the source alleged that the major, accompanied by about 10 soldiers in military vehicles, blocked the police convoy and prevented it from gaining access to an area where personnel were already conducting operations.
However, the timely arrival and professional handling of the situation by the police unit commander reportedly helped prevent the incident from escalating further.
Subsequently, the source said the military personnel withdrew from the scene, while the armed militia members fled.
As of the time of filing this report, attempts to reach the Plateau State Police Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) was abortive and the Media Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven said he would revert.
The clearance operation has reportedly been welcomed by residents of Shendam, Qua’an Pan, Bokkos, Bassa, Jos South and Jos East LGAs, where several bandits have allegedly been neutralised and their hideouts destroyed. The operation is said to have restored confidence among residents, enabling some to return to communities that had previously been considered no-go areas.
The operation is being viewed by supporters as a testament to the commitment of Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to ridding rural communities of bandits and armed militia groups and ensuring that Nigeria is safer for all its citizens.
