APPREHENSION on Friday pervaded Plateaus State over threats by terrorists to unleash further mayhem on some communities in the central and northern senatorial districts of the state on New Year’s Eve, Saturday Tribune has learnt.
Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Friday set up a special intervention squad to address ongoing attacks in parts of the state.
Gunmen attacked about 25 communities in Bokkos and Barakin-Ladi local government areas of the state on Christmas Eve and killed no fewer than 160 people.
As part of response to the avowed violence, the Jos Joint Traditional Council comprising Jos North, Jos South, Barakin-Ladi and Riyom has banned processions and outdoor gatherings during the New Year celebrations.
A statement by the traditional council signed by the Special Assistant to the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Yakubu Namman Dang, said the ban was sequel to the recent terrorist attacks in Bokkos, Mangu and Barakin-Ladi local government areas which led to massive loss of lives.
“The government, through security advice, has directed that there should be no public procession, outdoor gathering or celebration during the New Year celebration except in worship places, after which everyone must disperse to their respective homes. This is aimed at avoiding unpleasant situations,” the statement read.
Saturday Tribune gathered from reliable sources that there is panic in many communities and villages following information that the terrorists have concluded arrangements to attack selected places in the three local governments.
It was learnt that inhabitants of communities slated for the threatened onslaught have started relocating.
The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Mr Solomon Dalyop, confirmed the threat of another attack, stating that based on available information, the terrorists have concluded arrangements to carry out attacks on communities in Mangu, Bokkos, Riyom, Barakin-Ladi, Jos South, Jos East, and Bassa local government areas.
Dalyop said: “Based on available information, they will be starting the attack from today, December 29, 2023, to January 16, 2024. We have just got a hint of it and we are going to pass the information on to the appropriate authorities.
“To avert it, we told our people to be on security alert and report same to the security agencies. It is the government’s responsibility to guarantee security for every citizen. If there is no adequate manpower, do we submit ourselves to be killed? We will rise up to defend ourselves.
“Another major concern now is that some natives who are the victims have been arrested while the assailants are not apprehended. Some of these boys were arrested in the process of defending themselves. There are natives who exercise the right to self-defence. Is the government telling us that we should fold our arms and be killed?”
Speaking to newsmen after a visit to Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Government House, Jos, IGP Egbetokun said the special squad would commence immediate operations as part of an intervention to address the security issues in the state.
He said: “I also have the specific instruction of Mr President to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act and to ensure that the killings in this state stop, and that is what we are committed to. We have started by deploying adequately.
“We are responding appropriately to this incident, and we are not going to sweep it under the rug. We are deploying all our resources to ensure that this doesn’t happen again in Plateau State. I also informed the people when I was in the governor’s office that a special operation has commenced in this state today with the deployment of the tactical units.
“You can see me coming with the DIG, Operations. DIG, Intelligence, is here with me. The AIG, Wing, is here with me. The AIG of the zone is also here with me. The AIG of the zone has been ordered to relocate to Plateau until we record success in the operation that we are starting today.”
The IGP disclosed that the special intervention squad is going to commence in 10 pilot states in Nigeria, including Plateau, adding that with this, the police will dominate the affected areas and ensure that the criminals are brought to justice and they don’t come back for any attacks.
“I am also here to give confidence to the people in the affected areas and to the people of Plateau State generally. We have increased our deployment. I have given directives for the deployment of tactical units to go into those affected areas and those other areas that are vulnerable,” he added.
Reacting to the recent killings and threat of another attack, the National President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Bitrus Pogu, accused the government and security agencies of complicity in the previous attacks.
Dr Pogu said stated that it was shocking that bandits have been operating in Plateau State and other parts of the North for years without being rooted out.
According to him, before the recent attacks in parts of Plateau State, there were warning signals that were not attended to by the security agencies.
He said: “Our position is clear: the security forces are complicit in the whole carnage. For years, these bandits have been operating; they have not been rooted out. Usually, before attacks take place, they are informed, or there is what we call early warning signal, but nothing is being done because they are working on a script in favour of groups in this country.
“It is the caliphate that is responsible for our problems in this country because they want to continue to assert themselves, as far as we are concerned. The earlier the government does the right things and root out these elements, the better for this country. It is unfortunate that government will be in a place where something like the carnage of the 16th and 17th centuries will be happening. It is not acceptable, as we have told our governors, especially those who have the courage to mobilise the vigilantes.
“We have said this several times: let’s have state police, because the perpetrators of this evil act want to use the cover of federal might to continue with their evil act. We have mentioned the organisation that is culpable. Information is always out before any attack, but they don’t always respond.
“There are places in this country like Mahanga in Plateau State. We told them over and over again that this is a terrorist enclave, but nothing is being done. In Borno State, the Alagan and Mandara mountains are also known to the government and then we said we were a government and a country.”
Dr Pogu chided the Federal Government over its plan to conduct a census and wondered why the government will be planning a census when terrorists have displaced a lot of people from their ancestral homes.
“The government is organising a census. Terrorists have displaced people from their ancestral homes. You say you want to conduct a census, but you refused to bring them back. You say you want to conduct a census; we are just calling for trouble. Let the government sit up and provide security.”
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