By Adewole Kehinde
On Tuesday, I got a hint that the IGP would be visiting Plateau State in order to address the prevailing security challenges in some parts of the state.
Mangu is a Local Government Area in Plateau State. It has an area of 1,653 km² and a population of 294,931 at the 2006 census.
In July 2023, Residents of Sabon Gari, Mangu Halle, in the Mangu local government area of Plateau State protested the killing of not less than 15 people in the community and called on security agents to take on the attackers, whom they say are Fulanis.
I recalled that at about 10.30 p.m. on July 9, 2023, armed men invaded the Farin Kasa, Kerana, and Sabon Gari communities in the Mangu District of the Mangu LGA, killed some people, and burned many houses, even as Churches were closed on Sunday morning in the affected communities and environs.
Also, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, in consultation with the State Security Council, imposed a 24-hour curfew on the Mangu Local Government Area of the State following the attacks.
What impressed me on the tour by IGP Egbetokun was that he traveled by road via Nasarawa State to Plateau State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said that as part of his tour, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, the IGP made a significant stopover at the Akwanga Area Command and Divisional Headquarters, a place that holds special significance as it was the initial posting of the IGP when he was commissioned as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) into the Nigeria Police Force several years ago.
During the duty tour to Plateau State, the IGP had a crucial meeting with the Plateau State Governor, His Excellency Caleb Muftwang, at the State House, where they extensively discussed the security situation in the state, analyzing its complexities and exploring strategic solutions.
Following the meeting, the IGP proceeded to convene a gathering with the Plateau Stakeholders Forum at the Police Officers Mess in Jos, providing an opportunity for comprehensive deliberations and collaboration among key stakeholders to address the prevailing security challenges and foster sustainable peace and stability in the region.
Similarly, the IGP proceeded to the Mangu Local Government Area of the state, the epicenter of the immediate security challenge, where he actively engaged with the local community and police operatives on the ground to corroborate intelligence received on the situation.
The interaction provided a platform for open dialogue and enabled the IGP to assess the state of affairs, gather valuable insights, and reinforce the commitment of the Police to addressing the security challenges faced by the people of Mangu and restoring peace and order in the area.
The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, emphasized the need for improved preventive deployments, effective intelligence gathering, and community engagements to proactively address the security concerns in Mangu.
The IGP, while reaffirming the commitment of the NPF to protect lives and property and restore peace and harmony in the area, reiterated the NPF’s resoluteness in its determination to deploy necessary resources, strengthen preventive measures, and implement proactive strategies to address the security concerns in Plateau State and other regions across the country.
IGP Kayode Egbetokun, however, charged the good people of Plateau State to refrain from attaching religious or ethnic colourations to the criminals perpetrating heinous killings and crimes in the state, as a criminal remains one irrespective of his religion or ethnicity, and such colourations could cause more harm to our peaceful coexistence and national unity.
The visit of the IGP will no doubt assure the people that the government is working round-the-clock to restore peace and security in the state.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846 or kennyadewole@gmail.com
