No fewer than 10 suspects have been arrested in connection with the alleged killings of at least 30 residents of Yelwa Zangam village in Jos North Local Government Area of the state during an isolated attack on the community.
Aside from those who lost their lives during the attacks, the gunmen also injured several people and destroyed property worth millions of naira across the village.
Suspected bandits had reportedly killed over 35 persons during an attack at the village said to be behind the University of Jos (UNIJOS). It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the community around 9 pm on Tuesday, burning houses and shooting anyone on sight. The was coming barely one week after over 25 travellers were killed in Gada -Biyu – Rukuba road in Jos North LGA.
The Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, who disclosed the number of suspects arrested in connection with the attack on Wednesday, said that arrested suspects are currently being interrogated and that he had ordered security agencies to intensify efforts in tracking down the other assailants and their sponsors in order to bring them to justice.
While describing the incident as barbaric and irresponsible, Lalong noted that the attack was carefully planned as the bridge linking the village was said to have been destroyed in order to deny security forces access to the area during the attack.
The governor, however, sympathized with those who lost loved ones during the attack and called for calm among the people, assuring them that they would get justice as the government would stop at nothing in apprehending the criminals.
Lalong further warned criminals that they would trailed, arrested, and dealt with, saying no matter how long it takes, as his administration will not allow the reign of terror to persist and rubbish all the investments made in restoring calm in the State.
The governor, meanwhile, praised the gallantry of security forces that successfully engaged and neutralised 6 criminals that belong to a syndicate that specialises in kidnapping innocent people in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to him, the troops from Operation Safe Haven and the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) engaged the bandits in response to distress calls.
The Governor expressed his deep condolences to the Nigeria Police and families of the Police Officer and Member of the Vigilante who lost their lives during the operation and assured them of Government support.
Lalong, through a statement made available to newsmen by his spokesman, Dr. Makut Macham, vowed to make Plateau uncomfortable for criminals.
