12 arrested over alleged plot to incite violence in Plateau

By Ayox Ojo

Plateau Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah, has disclosed that 12 people who were trying to foment trouble shortly after Jumat prayers in the Zololo area of Jos, the state capital were arrested.

The arrest of the 12 alleged troublemakers came amid rising tension over last Sunday’s killing in a community in Jos.

Ewah, disclosed that the suspects came out with sticks and were trying to cross over to the Nasarawa area of the city but were arrested by alert police operatives.

“About 30 minutes after prayers, some miscreants around the Zololo area wanted to create problems for us, but they met us waiting. I can tell you that we have 12 of them arrested.

Ewah said the suspects would be prosecuted while warning that security agencies would not tolerate any attempt to destabilise the state.

“They are here, and I can assure you that they will face the law. We are determined to continue to enforce the law,” he added.

He added that arrests followed deployment of more personnel to the state following the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Plateau on Thursday.

“I would like to thank the president who came yesterday. I also appreciate the Inspector General of Police and all the senior officers who came. That accounts for the increase in manpower you see deployed to maintain stability,” he said.

He revealed that four mobile police units and over 300 additional officers have been deployed to Plateau State, while other security agencies have also reinforced their presence.

The Police Commissioner also revealed that security agencies are currently conducting coordinated joint patrols across the state to respond swiftly to any threats.

“Currently, we have a joint patrol of all the security forces on the Plateau led by the police, going from point to point, responding timely to calls about any threats to the breakdown of law and order,” he stated.

He described the Jumat prayers as peaceful but warned those he described as merchants of conflict” determined to foment trouble of the command’s readiness to respond appropriately.

“There are merchants of conflict who want to see the state in a conflict state, but I assure you, as the Commissioner of Police, working with other security agencies, we are committed to ensuring peace is maintained,” he said.

Ewah also said the curfew and other restrictions imposed to maintain order in the state will be strictly enforced.

“We are determined to continue to enforce the curfew, which is from 3 p.m. You will see our men enforcing it fully. The ban on okada is also being enforced, and the restriction of movement on keke napep is also being enforced,” Ewah added.