The Nigerian Inspector General of Police , Ibrahim Idris has deployed the Police Special Intervention Force (PSIF) to Plateau State, following last weekend’s renewed killings in the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

A statement released on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police,  Jimoh Moshood said the intervention force, headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, has been mandated to immediately bring an end to the recurrent crisis.

According to the statement, the IGP also deployed two Police Aerial Surveillance Helicopters, five Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), three Police Mobile Force Units, two Counter Terrorism Units (CTU ) ,a Police Intelligence Unit and conventional police personnel from other states to the affected local government areas.

“The Police Aerial surveillance Helicopters and other components of the intervention Force are already in the State. Their arrival in the state have restored peace and prevented further attacks in the affected areas.

“The Deputy Inspector General of Police; Department of Operations is being relocated on the directive of the IGP to Jos, Plateau State to coordinate and supervise the operations on the ground.

The statement also said the IGP’s directive was due to his concern for the recent killings of innocent people in Barkin-Ladi, Riyom and Jos South Local Governments and other flash points in the state. Part of the text read:

“The IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police in charge IGP monitoring Unit to lead the Police Special investigation Team to the affected areas and other flash points in Plateau State.

“The investigation Team comprises the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the Special Tactical Squad (STS) and the Technical Platforms. The team is to carry out a thorough and discreet investigation into the killings and promptly apprehend those responsible.

“The Police Special Intervention Force, also includes personnel of Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), detachment of Police Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), Police K9 (Sniffer Dogs Section), Conventional Policemen, Special Anti-Robbery Squads.

“The teams that have started arriving are already working in synergy with the Plateau State Police Command to ensure that the peace and normalcy restored are sustained in the affected areas and other flash points in Plateau State.

“To achieve success in this operation, the team will be proactive and strict in the enforcement of its mandates, Police standard operations procedures and rule of engagement will be fully adhered to.

“The Police Special Intervention Force will ensure the full enforcement of the curfew imposed on the affected areas by the Plateau State Government.

“The personnel of the Police special Intervention Force will carry out twenty four (24) hours surveillance and patrol, stop and search of vehicles, and suspected locations and hideouts of the assailants.

“The Team will also engage in continuous raids of identified criminal hideouts and black spots, with a view to arrest promptly those responsible for the killings and nip in the bud and prevent any further attack, attempt to attack or cause any form of violence that can lead to killings and other criminalities in the affected areas.

“The deployment of the personnel of the Police Special Intervention Force will equally cover communities, towns, villages, vulnerable settlements, Government and private infrastructures and facilities in all the affected areas and other flash points in the State.

“Traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, the youth groups, public office holders, politicians, opinion leaders, parents and guardians are hereby called upon to prevail on their subjects, adherents/followers, children and wards to support the personnel of the Police Special Intervention Force in the discharge of their responsibilities, and implore them to allow police investigation and the law to take it full course, and not resort to reprisals and counter attacks.

“Members of the public in the affected areas, other flash points or in any other location in the State in distress or with information to the Police Special Intervention Force and the investigation team can use the following numbers: 07059473022, 08038907662, 08075391844, and 09053872296,” the statement added.