Usman Baba, the inspector general of Police (IG), has said that 33 victims of the Saturday attacks on travellers through the Rukuba community in Jos North LGA of Plateau have been rescued with 20 suspects arrested.
Frank Mba, force public relations officer (FPRO), said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Baba condemned the attack and called on relatives of the victims to remain calm. He said the police was working with the military, other security forces and the state government to ensure that perpetrators were brought to book.
He said the IG had ordered the immediate deployment of the Police Intervention Team to Plateau for on-the-spot assessment and to enhance coordinated response to protect the community and boost public confidence in the affected areas.
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He said the team would be led by Sanusi Lemu, the deputy inspector general of police (DIG) in charge of Finance and Administration. Lemu is also the coordinating DIG in charge of the North-Central geopolitical zone of the country.
Baba said the team was made up of personnel of Police Tactical Units, the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and the Police Special Forces.
He said the team was deployed to protect the communities, prevent further attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.
According to him, also deployed are investigators and covert operatives from the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) and the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB).
Baba said the operatives were expected to provide additional investigative, intelligent and forensic supports to the police command in Plateau.
The IG enjoined citizens in the affected area to support the security forces deployed by providing useful information that would lead to the arrest of other perpetrators to forestall further attacks.
Plateau government has imposed a curfew on Bassa, Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas, following Saturday’s attacks on commuters around Jos North Local Government, where 23 persons were reportedly killed and 23 injured.
Gov. Simon Lalong in a statement by his director of press and public affairs, Makut Macham on Sunday in Jos, said the curfew would commence on Aug 14, from 6pm to 6am
“I have directed the imposition of curfew on Jos North, Bassa and Jos South Local Government Areas, commencing 6pm to 6am, from today, 14th August 2021.
“The curfew shall remain in place, subject to further review by the State Security Council,” he said.
The governor warned against violation of the order, saying that security personnel would take all measures to maintain law and order in the affected areas.
