IGP Orders Immediate Deployment of Tactical Squads to Curb Plateau Killings
posted 9th April 2025
IGP Orders Immediate Deployment of Tactical Squads to Curb Plateau Killings
Plateau State, Nigeria – 9 April 2025 In a swift response to the escalating violence that has rocked Plateau State since late March, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has ordered the immediate deployment of police tactical assets and personnel to the troubled region. The move comes as communities in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) and surrounding areas reel from a series of deadly attacks that have claimed numerous lives and left many injured.
The IGP has directed Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Kwazhi Dali Yakubu, who oversees the Department of Operations, to spearhead the intervention. DIG Kwazhi arrived in Plateau State on Tuesday, 8 April 2025, to coordinate the deployment of substantial reinforcements, including elite tactical squads, state-of-the-art drones, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), Police Mobile Force units, helicopters, and platoons from the Special Intervention Squad (SIS). These resources will be mobilised to conduct targeted operations aimed at halting the violence and restoring calm.
The wave of attacks began on 28 March 2025, when armed assailants launched a ferocious assault in Bokkos, killing several residents and injuring others. Since then, the violence has intensified, spreading fear and devastation across multiple communities. Scores of lives have been lost in what authorities have described as “heinous crimes,” prompting urgent action from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Speaking after a courtesy visit to Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, on Tuesday, DIG Kwazhi expressed the IGP’s condolences to the victims’ families and the people of Plateau State. The meeting with the governor provided an opportunity to evaluate the crisis, explore its underlying causes, and map out a comprehensive strategy to prevent further bloodshed. “We are here to ensure peace is restored and that those responsible for these atrocities face justice,” DIG Kwazhi affirmed.
The NPF has outlined a multi-pronged approach, combining aggressive patrols and surveillance with proactive measures to avert future attacks. The deployment of drones and helicopters will bolster aerial monitoring, while ground forces, supported by APCs, will intensify efforts to secure vulnerable areas.
IGP Egbetokun reiterated the force’s commitment to collaborating with the Plateau State Government, community leaders, and other security agencies to achieve lasting stability. He urged residents to assist the police by sharing credible information that could aid investigations and enhance security operations.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, emphasised the urgency of the situation in a statement: “The Nigeria Police Force stands resolute in its mission to protect lives and property. We call on the public to work with us as we strive to bring an end to this violence.”
The deployment marks a significant escalation in the federal response to the crisis, which has drawn widespread concern. As tactical teams take position across Plateau State, hopes are high that peace will soon return to the beleaguered communities.
