The Nigerian Army has refuted reports alleging that its personnel sought clearance from suspected Fulani militias before recovering the bodies of slain church members in Jos, Plateau State.
The allegation, published by an online platform on Sunday, claimed a local pastor accused soldiers of refusing to retrieve the corpses of his church members until they received authorization from the attackers. The report also alleged that relatives were left to watch helplessly as the bodies remained at the scene.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Media Information Officer of Operation Enduring Peace, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, dismissed the publication as “false, misleading, and aimed at discrediting the Nigerian Army.”
He said the story lacked verifiable details such as the date, location, and the identity of the alleged clergyman, suggesting it was fabricated to stoke tension and erode public trust.
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“The anonymity of the source and the sensational tone of the report clearly point to a deliberate attempt to undermine the credibility of the military and destabilize ongoing peace efforts,” Zhakom said.
He reiterated that troops under Operation Enduring Peace remain committed to professionalism, neutrality, and the protection of all residents irrespective of tribe or religion. The Army, he added, continues to engage credible community and religious leaders in efforts to restore and sustain peace across Plateau State.
Zhakom urged members of the public to disregard the false report and to rely solely on verified updates from official military communication channels.