In a significant development, the police have paraded seventeen suspects in connection with the recent wave of killings in various parts of Plateau State. The suspects were presented to the media by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 4, Ebong Eyibio, at the Plateau State Police Command headquarters in Jos.
According to Eyibio, eight of the apprehended individuals are linked to the 2023 Christmas Eve attacks, while the remaining nine were arrested in connection with the recent security breach in Mangu Local Government Area of the state. During the press conference, Eyibio, represented by the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, disclosed that ten corpses were recovered following the recent incident in Mangu.
Eyibio provided details of the police action, stating, “The Plateau State Police Command has successfully repelled an attack on villages in Mangu LGA of the State. On 24/01/24 at about 22:00 hours, we received intelligence concerning an attack targeted on the Ntam community and the ASTC Company, both of Mangu LGA.”
He went on to highlight the swift response of the police, preventing attempted attacks in different locations, including an arson attempt on worship centers in Panyam District. To reinforce security measures and ensure compliance with the imposed curfew in Mangu LGA, Eyibio announced the deployment of additional Special Intervention personnel to the area.
The police official emphasized a zero-tolerance approach to criminality and underscored the commitment to restoring peace, public confidence, and normalcy within the state. Exhibits recovered from the suspects included dangerous weapons such as machetes and kegs containing petrol.
Eyibio urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies, assuring that efforts were ongoing to maintain peace and order in the region. It’s worth noting that Eyibio was deployed to Plateau State following the Christmas Eve attacks, and the recent arrests mark a significant step in addressing the security challenges faced by the state.