The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has ordered the commissioners of Police in charge of Benue, Rivers and other contiguous states to be on red-alert and prevent further attacks on innocent Nigerians by suspected herdsmen and other criminal elements.
In a statement, the Police Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said already, the deputy inspector general of Police, Operations had been dispatched to Benue state to muster, coordinate and supervise the implementation of the new security strategies put in place by the Force.
“IGP deploys additional Five Units of Police Mobile Force, Police Special Forces, Police Aerial Surveillance Helicopters and Special Police Joint Intelligence and Investigation Teams to Benue and Rivers States respectively.
“He places Commissioners of Police and Police Personnel in the affected states on Red-alert and directs Twenty – Four Hours Crime Prevention and Visibility Patrols throughout the Country,” the statement pointed out.
He further said to bring new impetus to the efforts of the Force to curtail further attacks in the mentioned states, Police Aerial Surveillance Helicopters, Five units of Police Mobile Force; Police Special Forces have been deployed.
“In Benue state, eight suspected herdsmen arrested at the scene of the killings are currently being prosecuted.
“Six of them were remanded to Prison custody while the other two suspects arrested at a different scene of crime are being arraigned in court.
The Force therefore called for calm and support for the police personnel deployed to sustain the normalcy that has been restored in the affected States.
He said: “The Force implores the people to be vigilant and security conscious. They should promptly report suspicious acts or persons to the nearest Police detachment or station for prompt action to avert untoward incidents.
