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Army Refutes Claims of Police Clash Linked to Fulani Terrorist’s Release in Benue
The Nigerian Army has firmly denied claims circulating on social media suggesting that its troops clashed with police operatives in Benue State over the alleged release of a Fulani terrorist kingpin.
The clarification follows the viral spread of an audio clip alleging that soldiers from Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) were involved in a violent confrontation with personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) in Makurdi on June 4.
In a statement signed by Captain Abdullahi Lawal Osaba Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations 401 Special Forces Brigade/ Sector 1 OPWS on Sunday.
The same recording also accused the military of unlawfully freeing a Fulani suspect said to be involved in the killing of 23 civilians and a police officer in the Tulan community of Kwande Local Government Area.
Describing the audio as “highly misleading and malicious,” the Nigerian Army, through a statement issued on June 8 by Captain Abdullahi Lawal Osabo, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations for 401 Special Forces Brigade, debunked the claims as “fabricated and intended to incite ethnic tension.”
A joint fact-finding investigation carried out by OPWS in collaboration with the Benue State Police Command found no evidence of any killings in Kwande LGA on the alleged date, May 11, 2025. Police authorities also confirmed that no such incident was reported.
Similarly, the Commander of the OP Zenda base dismissed reports of a clash with military personnel, stating there was no confrontation or raid, contrary to the viral audio’s claims.
Providing further clarity, the Army revealed that in a separate and legitimate operation in Udei, troops rescued a Fulani individual from an angry mob and subsequently handed him over to the police. The Army emphasized that both Fulani individuals mentioned in the audio are currently in police custody and are undergoing due legal processes.
“The viral audio is clearly the work of mischief makers, ethnic provocateurs, and enemies of peace,” the Army stated. “It is a fabricated narrative, devoid of fact, designed to falsely implicate military personnel and derail the coordinated security efforts of Operation Whirl Stroke and its partners.”
The military warned that such disinformation poses a serious threat to national security and vowed to identify and prosecute those responsible for spreading it. Citizens were urged to disregard unverified content and avoid sharing materials that could inflame tensions.
“The Nigerian Army remains fully committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting all citizens regardless of ethnicity or background, and maintaining professional collaboration with sister security agencies,” the statement concluded.
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