The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Plateau State chapter, has described as false reports that a militia hideout was identified in a herding community in Bassa Local Government Area of the state but was not raided because military personnel prevented the police from doing so.

This comes after a viral video showed personnel of the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Army engaged in a heated argument, which many described as a clash among security operatives in the area.

There were also reports on social media that the altercation was as a result of an attempt to stop the police from raiding the area.

However, the Nigerian military on Monday denied the allegation, describing it as the handiwork of merchants of crisis.

Reacting to the development on Tuesday, in a statement by the State Chairman of MACBAN, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, described the report as misleading capable of causing mistrust among the security operatives and fear in the public, especially those living in the area.

“This publication is nothing more than an attempt to justify the unfortunate events that occurred on 20th October 2026, when personnel of the Mobile Police Force from MOPOL 81, Plateau State, carried out an operation in Fulani communities in Bassa Local Government Area. During that operation, Sulaiman Mato, a young Fulani man, lost his life.

“We categorically state that neither the Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Bassa Local Government Area, Alhaji Ya’u Idris (Chachaba), nor any Fulani community leader was involved in harbouring or protecting criminal elements as alleged in the report. These allegations are baseless, malicious, and unsupported by credible evidence,” he asserted.

The MACBAN chairman therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police to order an impartial investigation into the killing of Sulaiman Mato during the operation of 20th October 2026.

“The Federal Government and relevant security authorities should investigate both the circumstances of the operation and the subsequent circulation of misleading reports intended to influence public opinion,” he added.