MASS KILLINGS: Tension Heightens in Plateau Communities

Tension remained high in the troubled areas of Plateau State yesterday despite the curfew imposed by the state government following the killing of Senator Gyang Dantong and Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr Gyang Fulani.

In response to the killing and tension it has generated, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday summoned an emergency meeting of security chiefs even as the Inspector General of Police has deployed 4,000 Mobile policemen, Anti-terrorists, and Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC’s to the affected areas.

The lawmakers were killed on Sunday while attending the mass burial of about 50 victims of Saturday’s attack on villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of the state. The curfew which was initially announced to last from 6pm to 7am was later moved to 12 noon apparently to forestall further trouble.

Governor Jang had in a broadcast to the people on Sunday night declared Monday and Tuesday, days of mourning.

Yesterday’s meeting summoned by President Jonathan was attended by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; the Chief of Defence Staff, Oluseyi Petinrin; Minister of State, Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada; Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade; Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro; Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ola Ibrahim; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Umar; and the Director-General, State Security Service, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong.

Attempts by State House correspondents to get participants at the meeting to speak to newsmen failed. While the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen.Azubuike Ihejirika directed reporters to the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, he in turn referred journalists to the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.). When the National Security Adviser emerged, he equally referred journalists to Petinrin for comment after which he drove away.

Although such meetings are held on Tuesdays, the fact that it was held yesterday underscored its emergency.

Plateau crisis: IG deploys 4,000 Mopol, Anti-terrorists police officers, APC’s

Following the violence that erupted in Plateau State at the weekend over the killings of over 50 persons, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has directed the deployment of 4,000 Mobile Police Personnel, Anti-terrorist personnel and bomb disposal experts in the local government areas of the state.

Also, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 4, Markudi, AIG Michael Zoukumor has been directed to re-locate his office from Makurdi to Jos the Plateau State capital to take over the security situation and ensure that further attacks and killings were stopped.

Vanguard gathered that the IGP who paid an on the spot assessment visit to Jos yesterday in company of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petirin, gave the directives immediately he received briefings on the level of violence and reprisals on the Jos attacks.

The Anti-Riot and Anti-Terrorist Policemen and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC’s) according to sources are drawn from all the neighbouring states and were all directed to be in Jos before dawn yesterday.