by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, was in Plateau State for his condolences to the Government and people of Plateau State, over the recent attacks on Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas.
While expressing his sympathies and condolences, the IGP noted with dismay that “These senseless attacks on vulnerable communities are totally unacceptable, and cannot be allowed to continue.”
He assured the governor that these criminals would be apprehended and brought to justice, and expressed his appreciation to the State Government for the support and cooperation given to the Police in their fight against crime and criminality within the State.
The IGP urged the general public against profiling criminals, based on ethnicity, emphasizing that these attacks are purely criminal in nature.
He further assured that “More manpower and operational assets have been deployed to combat the situation. In addition, the Police Force is working tirelessly in conjunction with other security agencies and gathering intelligence to address the security challenges in the State.”
Responding, Governor Caleb Mutfwang appreciated the Inspector-General of Police for his support in providing the force through this trying period and condemned the attacks as a “cowardly act of sheer criminality.”
According to Mutfwang, “The issue did not affect only Plateau State, but the entire Nation,” and assured of government’s commitment to working closely with the Police and other security agencies to ensure the safety and security of all residents in Plateau State.
The IGP, therefore, urges the general public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies, as efforts are being made to address the security threats and ensure a more peaceful Plateau State for all to dwell.
In another development – to respond to the separate attacks on Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State – the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Operations, DIG Kwazhi Bzigu Dali, who has been overseeing operations on the Plateau, today paid a visit to Bassa Local Government Area to reiterate the Inspector-General of Police’s condolence to the people of Zikkwe Kimakpa village over the recent unfortunate attacks.
During the visit, the DIG conducted both aerial and ground surveillance of the community, and other vulnerable areas within the Local Government Areas to assess the security situation, and employed adequate measures, in order to forestall future occurrences.
DIG Kwazhi met with Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, Dr. Sunday Riti, and his management team, community leaders and other critical stakeholders at the Local Government Secretariat to deliberate on how best to tackle the security situation of the State.
He assured the people of Zikkwe Kimakpa village that the Inspector-General of Police is committed to restoring the peace and security of their communities.
He also stated that the IGP has deployed additional manpower and operational assets, which include: PMF Units, Special Intervention Squads, Armoured Personnel Carriers, Patrol Helicopter for aerial surveillance, and other operational assets.
He emphasized the importance of community policing and, therefore, urged the residents to collaborate with the Police and other security agencies in combating crime, as security is the collective responsibility of all.
Also, the Chairman, Hon. Dr. Sunday Riti, of Bassa Local Government Area, thanked the DIG for their support for Bassa Local Government Area, which they have received from the Police overtime, and expressed their total readiness to work with the Police in ensuring that peace is brought back to Bassa Local Government Area and Plateau State as a whole.