NAF, IGP deploy special force, fighter jets in Benue, Taraba, Plateau

Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed seven fighter jets and attack helicopters to Benue and Taraba states to curb the crises and killings in the two states. He listed the seven fighter jets, which have since been inducted into the ongoing Operation Whirl Stroke to curb herders/farmers’ clashes to include two F-7 jets, two MI-35 helicopters, one ATR plane, one 350 King air surveillance aircraft and one MI-35P helicopter.

Abubakar made this known during the induction of the seventh platform, an MI-35P attack helicopter, in Makurdi, Benue State.

Similarly, The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the deployment of its MI-35P combat helicopter and an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to Plateau State as apart of security measures to restore normalcy and quell the crisis that has embroiled the state, where 86 persons were brutally killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Sunday.

In the same vein, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has deployed the Police Special Intervention Force to Plateau State to restore lasting peace in Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Jos South and other flashpoints. The IGP has ordered the deployment of two police aerial surveillance helicopters, five armored personnel carriers (APCs), three police mobile force units (PMF), two counter-terrorism cells and police intelligence unit as well as conventional police personnel from other states to the affected towns and villages in Plateau State.

Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, in a statement, said: “The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, concerned with the recent killings of innocent people in Barkin-Ladi (Gashishi), Riyom, Jos South local government areas and other flashpoints in the state, with the attendant disturbance of public peace, clashes and mayhem that engulfed the affected areas in Plateau State on the 23rd and 24th of June, 2018, which resulted in the loss of several innocent lives, burning of houses and vehicles, and destruction of properties, has promptly deployed since June 24, 2018, the Police Special Intervention Force to Plateau State to restore lasting peace in Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Jos South LGA and other flashpoints in the state.

“The intervention is to put an end to the crisis, 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 police aerial surveillance helicopters and other components of the intervention force are already in the state. Their arrival in the state has restored peace and prevented further attacks in the affected areas.

“The IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police in charge of IGP Monitoring Unit to lead the police special investigation team to the affected areas and other flashpoints in Plateau State. The investigation team comprises the Intelligence Response Team, the Special Tactical Squad 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, detachment of Police Explosive Ordinance Department, Police K9 (sniffer dogs section), conventional policemen, Special Anti-Robbery Squad. The teams that have started arriving are already working in synergy with the Plateau State Police Command to ensure that peace and normalcy restored are sustained in the affected areas and other flashpoints 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 24 hours surveillance and patrol, stop and search of vehicles, and suspected locations and hideouts of the assailants.”