IGP Orders AIG Zone 4’s Relocation To Plateau

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the deployment of tactical teams, equipment, and relocation of AIG Zone 4 to Plateau State with immediate effect.

Gatekeepers News reports that this was made known in a statement shared by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on his X account on Friday.

He wrote, “IGP Arrives Jos, to meet governor, stakeholders As he orders deployment of tactical teams, equipment, Orders relocation of AIG Zone 4 to Plateau State with immediate effect.”

This is coming after bandits had attacked different communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau state, killing scores.

The attacks lasted for about 48 hours with gunmen killing over 150 villagers and burning many houses, with over 10,000 people reportedly displaced.

The attacks happened in Ruku, Hurum, Darwat, Mai Yanga Sabo, NTV villages in Gashish, and Ropp Districts of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, as well as in Bokkos LGA.

Following the attacks, IGP Egbetokun, personally arrived in Jos, Plateau State, to address the tragic attacks in Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos Local Government Areas that occurred on December 24th.

In response to the situation, the IGP held discussions with Governor Celeb Manasseh Muftwang and key stakeholders in the region.

The statement reads in part: “Addressing the situation decisively, the IGP has ordered the immediate deployment of a specialized team comprising operatives from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counterterrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces (SF), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), and the Special Tactical Squad (STS). Their primary objective is to meticulously comb the affected areas, identify the culprits, and ensure swift justice is served to restore enduring peace.

“Moreover, the IGP also visited Bokkos to assess the situation firsthand and interact with the local community affected by this unfortunate event. To bolster the Force’s response and effectiveness in Plateau State, the IGP has ordered the temporary relocation of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 4, AIG Ebong Eyibio Ebong, psc(+), fcpa, mni, to the state. This temporary relocation is aimed at coordinating the operations, which commence immediately. Additionally, extra operational assets have been deployed to the state to facilitate a comprehensive and swift investigation.

“The Inspector-General of Police has also shown readiness and commitment, in line with the president’s directive, to collaborate with the military in a joint effort to decimate the activities of the armed militia responsible for these attacks. He urged the people of Plateau not to add any ethnic coloration to the incident, emphasizing that it’s the handiwork of armed criminals, as the entire nation has condemned the attacks in unison.”

The Nigeria Police Force reassures citizens of its commitment to pursuing justice and ensuring safety and security.

The IGP also extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.