Kaduna State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna town and environs with immediate effect.
The Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, stated this on Sunday in Kaduna.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has deployed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Taiwo Lakanu, to lead a Police intervention force to Kaduna to ensure that normalcy returns to the area.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 55 people were killed on Thursday, October 18 during a crisis at Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.
NAN also reports that a similar crisis in February left more than 10 people dead in Kasuwan Magani, while 65 suspects involved in the crisis were arraigned in court but the case is still ongoing.
Acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, the Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on the violence on Sunday in Abuja.
He said that the policemen deployed included four Police Mobile Force units, Counter Terrorism Unit, conventional policemen, Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad, Intellegence Response Team and Technical Intelligence, among others.
Moshood said that the operations would cover the entire Kasuwan Magani and its environs and other flash spots in the state.
“The intervention force will be working in cooperation with the Kaduna State Police Command to ensure that peace and normalcy return to the area.
“To achieve success, the Force will be proactive and strict in the enforcement of its mandate, Police standard operations procedures and rules of engagement,” he said.
He said that the Force would carry out a 24-hour surveillance and patrol, maintain stop-and-search, and continuous raid of identified criminal hideouts and black spots.
The spokesman said that the operation would cover communities, towns, villages, vulnerable points, government and private infrastructure.
He enjoined traditional rulers, religious leaders, politicians, parents and guardians to support the Police in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Moshood said that 22 suspects directly involved in violence have been arrested and are in Police custody assisting the Police in the investigation.
The spokesman said that some prominent personalities kidnapped during the violence have also been rescued and reunited with their families.
Police IG deploys AIG
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris has deployed the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7 to lead Police special investigation team to the troubled zone.
The Special team comprises four Units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) specially trained Anti Riot Policemen, Counter Terrorism Unit, Conventional Policemen, Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), State Intelligence Bureau (SIB), detachment of EOD, and Police K9.
The Police said members of the team will work in synergy with the Kaduna State Police Command to ensure that total peace and normalcy are restored and sustained in the community and its environs.
The deployment was contained in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood.
The statement reads: “Concerned with the unfortunate attack and killings of 55 innocent people, mayhem and the resultant disturbance of public peace that occurred in Kasuwar Magani, Kajuru, Kaduna State on the 18th of October, 2018 which also resulted in destruction of property worth millions of Naira, and the need to put an end to this crisis, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris has deployed the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 7 Headquarters in charge of Kaduna State, Niger State and the FCT to lead the Police Special Intervention Force.
“The operations will cover the entire Kasuwar Magani and environs, and other flash spots in Kaduna State.
“The Police Special Intervention Forces will be working in synergy with the Kaduna State Police Command to ensure that total peace and normalcy are restored and sustained in Kasuwar Magani and environs.
“To achieve success in the operations, the Force will be proactive and strict in the enforcement of its mandates, Police standard operations procedures and rules of engagement.
“The Force will ensure the full enforcement of the curfew imposed on Kasuwar Magani and environs by the Kaduna State Government.”
The Police also said the personnel of the team will carry out 24 hours surveillance and patrol, stop and search; continuous raids of identified criminal hideouts and black spots, with a view to arrest trouble makers, their sponsors and nip in the bud any further attempt to cause violence and other criminality in the area.
The deployment is also expected to cover communities, towns, villages, vulnerable points, government and private infrastructures and facilities in Kasuwar Magani, Kajuru Local Government Area and environs.
The Police urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, public office holders, politicians, opinion leaders, and other members of the community to support the team.
NAN/The Nation
