No fewer than 51 persons have been arrested by the Plateau State Police Command for violation of the curfew imposed by the State Government and attempting to vandalise private properties in Jos.
Recall that Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Sunday imposed 24 hours curfew on Jos/Bukuru metropolis following attempt by some miscreants to loot people’s properties in the guise of bad governance protest.
The State Police Command in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer DSP Alfred Alabo commended the people of Plateau State, especially the youths for complying with the curfew imposed by the State Government and the level of cooperation given to the Police and other security agencies in the execution of the order.
However, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbemiga Emmanuel Adesina expressed disappointment at the way and manner certain youths flagrantly disregarded government directives by coming out of their residents to attack armed Policemen at Yan tyre market and other parts of Jos North Local Government Area of the State.
He therefore reiterated that the decision of the State Government to impose the curfew was in the best interest of all Plateau residents hence adding that the Command will ensure that the directive is fully complied with.
The statement further depicted that Plateau State Commissioner of Police alongside heads of other security agencies have carried out an on-the-spot assessment/surveillance patrol of the nooks and crannies of the State capital, to ascertain the level of compliance.
It pointed out that a total of 26 suspects were arrested for noncompliance with the curfew and attempting to burgle People’s shops to loot their wares adding that another 25 suspects were arrested by men of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) for similar crimes and handed over to the Plateau State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The Command warned against brandishing foreign flags in any part of the State, stressing that Nigeria is a sovereign nation and anyone caught indulging in such a treasonable act will be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.
It added that the Command is committed to ensuring the safety of lives and properties and will not condone any form of looting/vandalization or any act capable of truncating the fragile peace on the Plateau.