Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s charge to security chiefs in the country to go after perpetrators of Zaki Biam Market attack, which led to death of 46 persons, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has deployed Police Special Tactical teams to Benue State to fish out the culprits and restore normalcy.A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police, (CSP) Jimoh Moshood, said the team comprises the Police Mobile Force, Counter-terrorism units, Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Police Air Wing, FCID Undercover agents and a detachment of EOD.
They are to be based in Zaki Biam, Ukum LGA of the state. According to the statement, the IGP directed the tactical team to ensure 24 hours surveillance and patrol, continuous raid of identified and other suspected hideouts of assailants, with a view to arresting the attackers and their sponsors to prevent further loss of lives.
The statement read: “The tactical force personnel will cover all the communities, towns, villages, vulnerable points, government and private infrastructure.
Police helicopters will embark on guided missions and aerial surveillance of the entire area, especially difficult terrains and operate in synergy with police formations on the ground.
“The Joint Investigation team attached to the Police Tactical force, made up of personnel of Force Criminal Investigations Department,FCID, Federal SARS, Intelligence Response Team, Technical Intelligence Unit and Special Tactical Squad, headed by a Commissioner of Police under the supervision of the DIG in charge of FCID, are already in Zaki Biam, making progress in the investigation into the killings of innocent people on Monday, March 20, 2017.
“The Nigerian Police Force is assuring the good people of Benue State of the renewed commitment of the force to guarantee and sustain protection of lives and property.’’
It urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, public office holders, politicians, opinion leaders, to prevail on their subjects and youths to exercise restraint and support personnel of the force to bring perpetrators of the gruesome killings to justice.
