By Dele Ogbodo
To avert the on going massacre in Plateau State, the Nigeria Police boss, Mr. Ibrahim Idris on Monday deployed 2 helicopters,
Police Special Intervention Force (PSIF) made up of the DIG, Operations, 5 Assistant Police Commissioners, 3 PMF Units, 2 CTU to Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South and other troubles spots where the renewed of innocent citizens has claimed more than 100 persons as at the time of filing this report.
The Force Spokesperson, Mr. Jimoh Moshood, who sent the statement to Sharpedgenewsonline, said the team is also comprised of IRT, STS and TIU which is being led by Commissioner of Police, IGP Monitoring Unit already deployed to the State have commenced investigation into the massacre which started week end.
According to Moshood: “Idris concerned with the recent killings of innocent people in Barkin-Ladi (Gashishi), Riyom, Jos South LGAs and other flash points in the State with the attendant disturbance of public peace, clashes and mayhem that engulfed the affected areas in Plateau State on Saturday and Sunday.
“The killings which resulted in the loss of several innocent lives, burning of houses and vehicles, and destruction of properties, has promptly deployed since on 24th June, the Police Special Intervention Force to Plateau State to restore lasting Peace in Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Jos South LGA and other flash points in the State.”
The intervention, the Force PRO said is to put an end to the crisis, the Deputy Inspector General of Police; Department of Operations is being relocated on the directive of the IGP to Jos, Plateau State to coordinate and supervise the operations on the ground.
The statement further read:”2 Police Aerial surveillance Helicopters, Five (5) Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), Three (3) Police Mobile Force Units (PMF), Two (2) Counter Terrorism Cells (CTU ) and Police Intelligence Unit and conventional Police personnel from other States have been deployed to the affected areas in Plateau State.
“The Police Aerial surveillance Helicopters and other components of the intervention Force are already in the State. Their arrival in the State has restored peace and prevent further attacks in the affected areas.”
To achieve success in this operation, Moshood, said the team will be proactive and strict in the enforcement of its mandates, Police standard operations procedures and rule of engagement will be fully adhered to.
He said the Police Special Intervention Force will ensure the full enforcement of the curfew imposed on the affected areas by the Plateau State Government. The personnel of the Police special Intervention Force will carry out twenty four (24) hours surveillance and patrol, stop and search of vehicles, and suspected locations and hideouts of the assailants.
The team, he hinted will also engage in continuous raids of identified criminal hideouts and black spots, with a view to arrest promptly those responsible for the killings and nip in the bud and prevent any further attack, attempt to attack or cause any form of violence that can lead to killings and other criminalities in the affected areas.
The Police called on members of the public in the affected areas, other flash points or in any other location in the State in distress or with information to the Police Special Intervention Force and the investigation team can use these numbers: 07059473022, 08038907662, 08075391844, and 09053872296