Police arrest 20 suspects, rescue 33 victims in Plateau attacks

Etim Ekpimah

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, 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, August 14, 2021.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mbak, on Sunday said the Police Intervention Team is led by DIG Sanusi N. Lemu, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration who is also the coordinating DIG, North-Central geo-political zone.

According to him, 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.

He said investigators and covert operatives from the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) and the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) have also been deployed.

Mba in the statement with Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.4/30, noted that 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,” he said.

Meanwhile, the IGP added that 20 suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack while 33 victims have been rescued.

He stated that 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.