….Police deploy more personnel in troubled LGAs
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi on Saturday visited Plateau State.
His visit followed gunmen attacks in 25 communities of the state which left over 150 persons dead on Christmas eve.
The attacks which affected three Local Government Areas including Bokkos,Mangu and Barkin Ladi also left properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
Obi who arrived Bokkos around 4pm was said to have moved straight to the camps of the internally displaced persons in the locality.
He was received by the Local Government Chairman, Monday Kassam.
The chairman of Community Peace Observers in the LGA, Kefas Mallai who confirmed Obi’s visit to the attack victims in Bokkos LGA said.
“Peter Obi just visited IDP camps in Bokkos. He arrived at about 4:00pm of today(Saturday) 30th December, 2023,” he said.
According to him, when some citizens are in IDP camps then Nigeria is in IDP camp.
After observing a minute of silence, he condoled with the IDP’s in the camps and promised to send 10 million naira into the IDP support account as managed by a committee set up by TIC Chairman, Bokkos LGC, Hon. Monday Kasah, who told about the 12 officially recognized IDP camps in the area.
He said, “Obi also promised to talk with other partners to send in supports into the IDP account as well as pray for the peace of Bokkos that the ugly incident does not occur again”
Meanwhile, the Plateau State police Command on Saturday said it had deployed more personnel to provide security in Bokkos and other troubled LGAs in the state .
The Spokesman for the Command ,Alabo Alfred who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday said the action was in compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police after visiting the state go assess the situation of things .
The statement partly read, “Sequel to the visit of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM yesterday, the 29th December, 2023 to Plateau State in the wake of the deadly attacks in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of the State which claimed many lives and resulted in destruction of properties, the Plateau State Police Command has deployed more special armed Police forces to the troubled areas to prevent further attacks and restore normalcy.
“The deployment is in line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, who provided additional manpower and resources to the State to augment the operational strength of the Command to manage the ugly situation and provide safety for residents of the affected areas.
“As parts of measures to protect lives and properties in the affected areas, the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, CP Okoro J. Alawari, psc has placed a ban all forms of ate night spiritual and social gathering in Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom and Mangu LGAs.
“The CP emphasised that All “Cross Over to New Year” programs should be rescheduled to hold at early hours of dusk, not to exceed 07:00pm of the night.
“The CP assured the good people of the State that the Plateau State Police Command is committed to full implemention of the IGP’s directives to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly act, provide safety to residents of the troubled areas, and restore peace and tranquility in those areas.
“The Plateau State Police helmsman also appeals to members of the public to support, cooperate with and assist the Police with timely and useful information to tackle the menace.
“He further tasked all Police operatives deployed to the affected areas to demonstrate valour and professionalism while discharging their constitutional duties, and work in synergy with other security agencies to restore peace and order in their respective areas of assignment.”
