Plateau massacre: IGP Baba gives update, DIG Lemu leads P.I.T

By Abankula

The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, said 20 suspects have been arrested in connection with the massacre in Jos, Plateau state of 22 travelling muslims heading to Ikare in Ondo State.

Baba also said 33 of the victims attacked in Rukuba, were rescued, according to a statement by Force PRO, Commissioner Frank Mba.

Baba said he has ordered the immediate deployment of Police Intervention Team(P.I.T) 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 Police Intervention Team is led by DIG Sanusi N. Lemu.

Lemu heads the Finance and Administration of the NPF and is also the coordinating DIG, North-Central geo-political zone.

The Team comprises personnel of Police Tactical Units – the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Special Forces, amongst others.

It has been deployed to protect the communities, prevent further attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Also deployed are investigators and covert operatives from the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) and the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB).

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 enjoined citizens in the affected area 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.