The Guardian (Nigeria)

Plateau killings: Police parade 17 suspects, repel fresh attack in Mangu

• DHQ to invite CAN boss for alleging military bias • We won’t accept further breakdown of law, gov warns

- From Odita Sunday, Abuja

THE police, yesterday, paraded 17 suspects in connection with the recent killings in parts of Plateau State. Meanwhile, Defence Headquarte­rs ( DHQ) plans to invite the Chairman of Christian Associatio­n of Nigeria ( CAN), Mangu chap - ter, Rev. Timothy Daluk, to substantia­t e his claim that the military supports one of the warring factions in the Plateau crisis.

Following the security breach in Kwahaslale­k community and various parts of Mangu Local Council of Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has warned that his administra­tion will not tolerate any further breakdown of law and order in any part of the state. The 17 suspects were paraded by the Assistant Inspector General ( AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 4, Ebong Eyibio, at state police com mand in Jos.

Eyibio said eight of the suspects were arrested in connection with the 2023 Christmas Eve attacks, while the other nine were apprehende­d for their alleged in volvement in the recent security breach in -

Mangu.

The AIG, who was represente­d at a press bri e fing by the Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO), DSP Alfred Alabo, also disclosed that 10 bodies were recovered after the Mangu tragedy.

Eyibio.

He added: “The Plateau State Police Command has success - fully repelled an attack on vil - lages in Mangu. On January 24, 2024 about 10pm, we received intelligen­ce concerning an attack targeted on Ntam community and ASTC Company , both in Mangu. “Our team of agile police officers from the IGP Special Interventi­on Squad stationed at the ASTC, in conjunctio­n with the Pankshin Area Commander and DPO, swung into action and thwarted the attempted attack.”

ON the invitation of Daluk, the Director , Defence Media Operations ( DMO), MajGen Edward Buba, said: "DHQ is in the process of reaching out to him to come and substantia­te the claims. It is not unusual for emotions to cloud people’s judgment when they have been confronted with very traumatisi­ng experience­s.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Nigeria