The Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja said its men have arrested 20 persons suspected to have masterminded the attack on innocent citizens in Rukuba Community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State last Saturday.

The Inspection General of Police (IGP), Alkali Baba, has meanwhile ordered the immediate deployment of a Police Intervention Team to Plateau State to carry out an on-the-spot assessment and ensure an enhanced, coordinated response to protect the community and boost public confidence in the affected area(s) of the state.

The team is headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Sanusi N Lemu, in charge of Finance and Administration, who is also the coordinating DIG, North-Central. The team comprises personnel of Police Tactical Units – the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Special Forces, amongst others deployed to protect the communities, prevent further attacks, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Force spokesman Frank Mba said in a statement:

‘The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, FDC has ordered the immediate deployment of Police Intervention Team to Plateau State to carry out an on-the-spot assessment and ensure an enhanced, coordinated response to protect the community and boost public confidence in the affected area(s) of the state. The deployment follows the unfortunate attack on innocent citizens in Rukuba Community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday 14th, August 2021.

‘The Police Intervention Team is led by DIG Sanusi N. Lemu, NMI, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration who 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 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.

‘Meanwhile, the IGP noted that twenty (20) suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack while thirty-three (33) victims have been rescued.

‘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.’