Plateau attack: Police arrest 20 suspects, rescue 33 victims

The Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba said that 33 victims of Saturday attack on travellers through Rukuba community in Jos North LGA of Plateau had been rescued with 20 suspects arrested.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba 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 I-G had ordered the immediate deployment of 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 Mr Sanusi Lemu, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Finance and Administration.

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Lemu is also the coordinating DIG in charge of the North-Central geo-political 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 I-G 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. (NAN)