This development followed a recent attack on Kwahaslalek village, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State in the early hours of Wednesday by gunmen which led to the death of 30 people.
The victims, who were mostly women and children, had run to the house of a community leader in the area on Tuesday night for safety following earlier unrest during the day in Mangu town when the gunmen surrounded them and killed all of them.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 4, Ebong Eyibio disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists at the police command headquarters in Jos, the state capital.
Eyibio said that nine suspects have also been arrested in connection with the killing.
According to the AIG, additional police personnel had also been deployed to the troubled council area as part of efforts to contain the situation
The AIG, who paraded the nine suspects together with eight others earlier arrested in the previous crisis said, “The Plateau State Police Command has successfully repelled an attack on villages in Mangu LGA of the State.
“On 24/01/24 at about 2200hrs, we received intelligence concerning an attack which was targeted at the Ntam community and the ASTC Company, both of Mangu LGA. Our team of agile police officers from the IGP Special Intervention Squad stationed at the ASTC in conjunction with Area Commander Pankshin and the DPO swung into action and thwarted the attempted attack.
“In a separate incident, an attempt by some arsonists in Panyam District to set fire on some worship centres was prevented by swift intervention from the police and with help from some elders of the community.”
The police boss added that to further strengthen the existing security architecture in Mangu LGA and ensure compliance with the curfew imposed by the government and prevent further escalation of the incidence which is almost snowballing into an ethno-religious crisis, he has ordered the deployment of additional Special Intervention Personnel to Mangu LGA.
He added, “The command is grateful to inform you that the situation as of today, is under control and so far, nine suspects have been arrested.
“Exhibits recovered from them include
weapons such as machetes, kegs containing petrol, and other items. The area remains highly secured by security forces and strict compliance to the curfew is being complied with.”
The AIG added, “A delegation from the Plateau State Government led by the Security Adviser to the Governor, heads of other security agencies, and leaders from both the Christian and Muslim communities, gathered at the Mangu Township Stadium and the Miskam Mwaghavul Palace in Mangu yesterday, the 24th day of January 2024 to deliberate and chart a way forward to put a stop to the menace.
“We called on the leadership of both faiths to call their followers to order and ensure total compliance with the government-imposed curfew. Both parties have promised to comply in the interest of peace in their communities.
“So far, over 10 corpses have been recovered from various locations, two injured persons currently receiving treatment at the hospital, and one car and 10 houses were burnt down.”
Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has denounced the recent security breach that claimed numerous lives in the Kwahaslalek community and various parts of the Mangu Local Government Area.
Expressing sorrow in a statement in Jos in a statement on Wednesday by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, Mutfwang decried the escalating security challenges that destroyed homes and livelihoods, by suspected hoodlums.
The governor extended condolences to the grieving families, the affected communities, and those injured in the unfortunate incidents.
He urged them to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities for swift intervention.
