Police Inspector General, Mr Usman Baba said that 33 victims of Saturday attack on travellers through Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State have been rescued while 20 suspects are arrested.
He disclosed this on Sunday in a statement in Abuja through police spokesman at the Force Headquarters, Mr Frank Mba, as he condemned the attack and called on relatives of the victims to remain calm.
Baba said the police are working with the military, other security forces and the state government to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.
According to Mba, Baba had ordered the immediate deployment of Police Intervention Team to Plateau for on-the-spot assessment and to enhance coordinated response to protect the community and boost public confidence in the affected areas.
The team would be led by Mr Sanusi Lemu, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Finance and Administration.
Lemu is also the coordinating DIG in charge of the North-Central geo-political zone of the country.
Baba said the team is made up of personnel of Police Tactical Units, the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and the Police Special Forces.
He said the team was deployed to protect the communities, prevent further attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.
According to him, also deployed are investigators and covert operatives from the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) and the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB).
Baba said the operatives are expected to provide additional investigative, intelligent and forensic supports to the police command in Plateau.
He enjoined citizens in the affected area to support the security forces deployed by providing useful information that would lead to the arrest of other perpetrators to forestall further attacks.
NAN
