The Plateau State police command has arrested a total of 20 suspects in connection with the killing of about 22 travelers in Rukuba area of Plateau’s Jos north LGA on Saturday. With the development the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba, on Sunday ordered the immediate deployment of Police Intervention Team to Plateau State to carry out an on-the-spot assessment and ensure enhanced, coordinated response to protect the community and boost public confidence in the affected areas of the state. This was contained in a statement on Sunday by the Police spokesman, Frank Mba, title, “Plateau attacks” 20 suspects arrested, 33 victims rescued as IG orders coordinated response to protect citizens.” The statement read, “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 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.”
The IGP said 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.
On Saturday, August 14, at 9:28 am, rampaging youths attacked a convoy of five buses on Rukuba Road in the Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau state, killing about 22 persons and leaving 14 injured.
The victims were said to be returning from the annual Zikr prayer in Bauchi State and heading for Ikare in Ondo state.
There is rising tension following the breakdown of peace in Jos which has generated concerns of possible escalation. Organizations including ACF, JNI, CAN, have condemned that killings and called for calm while urging religious and traditional rulers to impress on their subjects to refrain from taking laws into their hands.
Despite the 24-hour curfew few people have been killed in different locations in Jos like, Farin-Gada, Bauchi Road, and Terminus area, by hoodlums on Sunday, including a female student of University of Jos, who was on her way to church before she was killed.
