Plateau Attacks: IGP Deploys High-Powered Team To Protect Residents

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has deployed a special team of police operatives to Plateau State in the wake of recent incessant attacks on residents by bandits.

The team which comprises personnel of Police Tactical Units – the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Special Forces, amongst others is led by DIG Sanusi N. Lemu.

The team according to a statement sent to Naija News on Sunday by the force public relations officer, CP Frank Mba, has the mandate to “protect the communities, prevent further attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

It will be recalled as previously reported by this online news media that not less than twenty-two persons were confirmed killed on Saturday following an attack by bandits along Rukuba road in Jos north LGA, Plateau state.

The gunmen who attacked the travellers also injured fourteen others.

Naija News gathered the travellers were part of worshippers who were on their way to Ondo state after attending the annual zikr prayer in Bauchi, when they were attacked.

According to the Plateau State Police spokesperson, Ubah Ogaba who confirmed the incident, 21 victims were rescued while six suspects have been arrested in connection with the development.

The attack has also attracted the reaction of President Muhammadu Buhari who has ordered security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the gruesome massacre

Reacting to the unfortunate incident, the IGP has ordered a coordinated response to nip the attacks from escalating and restore public confidence in affected areas.

The IGP while condemning the attacks further noted that some suspects have already been arrested and helping the police in their investigations.

The statement reads: “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, fdc has ordered the immediate deployment of Police Intervention Team to Plateau State to carry out on-the-spot assessment and ensure enhanced, coordinated response to protect the community and boost public confidence in the affected area(s) of the State.”

“The deployment follows the unfortunate attack on innocent citizens in Rukuba Community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday 14th, August, 2021.”

“The Police Intervention Team is led by DIG Sanusi N. Lemu, mni, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration who is also the coordinating DIG, North-Central geo-political zone.”

“The Team comprises personnel of Police Tactical Units – the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Special Forces, amongst others deployed to protect the communities, prevent further attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice. Also deployed are investigators and covert operatives from the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) and the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB).”

“The operatives are expected to provide additional investigative, intelligence and forensic support to the Plateau State Police Command in the ongoing investigations and rescue operations.”

“The IGP, while condemning the incident, has called for calm and assured victims and relatives of the attack that the Police are working with the military, other security forces and the State Government to ensure that all perpetrators of the unfortunate incident are brought to book.”

“Meanwhile, the IGP noted that twenty (20) suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack while thirty-three (33) victims have been rescued.”

“The IGP enjoined citizens in the affected area(s) to support the security forces deployed to the hotspot by providing useful information that will lead to the arrest of other perpetrators of the crime and forestall any further attack.”