Worried by the recent spate of killings in Kwara and Taraba States, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the deployment of personnel to Kwara and Taraba States.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Jimoh Moshood, on Sunday said the IGP has given the nod for three police mobile force units, high powered police investigation team, Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to the north-central state.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, concerned with the Banks Robbery attack in Offa, Kwara State has ordered deployment of three Police Mobile Force Units, high powered police investigation team, Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) with ten crew members and Anti-Robbery equipment to Kwara State,” he said.
This comes 72 hours after 30 heavily armed gunmen hit five commercial banks along the Owode Market Area of the town in Offa Local Government Area of the state killing at least 30 people, including nine policemen in the unfortunate incident.
In the attack that lasted for hours, many valuable properties of the affected banks were damaged with many people feared killed and many more injured. Eyewitnesses said the armed robbers made away with several millions of naira from the banks, leaving behind a tale of sorrow, tears and blood.
But the Force spokesperson gave the assurance that the police boss was committed to addressing the situation with a view to preventing a reoccurrence.
Jimoh, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, explained that IGP Idris has directed his special forces to Taraba State with a view to apprehending the suspects that have unleashed mayhem.
He stated, “The IGP has ordered deployment of three additional Police Mobile Force units to Taraba State to beef up security, prevent further attacks, arrest perpetrators and carry out a discreet investigation into the recent killings in Donga and Bali LGAs of Taraba state.”
According to the Force PRO, twelve suspects have been arrested in connection with the bloodbath in Donga and Bali LGAs of Taraba state.
The suspects are: “Ali Runo, Hassan Ruwo, Chindo Umoru, Yinusa Usman, Shittu Usman, Tervesee John, Terse Joseph, Victor Madu, Theophilus Ajee, Hasama George, Tervise Boniface and Tijie Evarso.
“Seven AK47 Rifles, four Locally made Revolver Pistols and 30 Rounds of AK47 Ammunition, Seven Operational Vehicles of the Armed Robbers,” were recovered from the suspects in the two incidents.
While commiserating with the governments and people of the affected states, the police boss appeals for calm and urged the public to report suspected individuals to the nearest police station.
