Plateau police arrest suspects, recover locally made guns

The police have arrested several suspects and recovered locally fabricated firearms and ammunition in separate operations in Plateau State.

The Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Faniyan, disclosed this on Tuesday at the Inspector-General of Police’s conference in Abuja.

Mr Faniyan, said the command was strengthened intelligence-led operations and community policing to prevent crime and deny criminal elements safe havens.

“Plateau State will be too hot for them to operate,” Mr Faniyan warned, adding that the command had reviewed its crime prevention strategies in response to security challenges across the state.

He said officers had been directed to uphold professionalism, discipline, integrity and transparency in their duties, warning them against corruption and illegal operations.

Mr Faniyan said the command was also strengthening collaboration with residents and other security agencies to improve intelligence gathering and facilitate the arrest of criminal suspects.

According to him, a joint security operation involving the police, military, State Security Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other agencies was conducted in parts of the state following recent security incidents in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bokkos local government areas.

He said the operation, which included a show of force, covered vulnerable communities, flashpoints and suburban areas to reassure residents and reinforce security presence.

The commissioner added that the command had launched a statewide community engagement initiative to appreciate residents for their cooperation and rebuild public confidence in the police.

He said the command remained committed to citizens’ welfare, prompt responses to complaints and respect for human rights.

Arrests, firearm recoveries

Mr Faniyan said police operatives had arrested suspects in separate operations across the state, including a 24-year-old man in Jos South Local Government Area from whom officers allegedly recovered a locally fabricated Beretta pistol, two rounds of 9mm ammunition and two double-edged daggers.

He also said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested two suspects during a routine patrol along the Anguldi-Vom Road and recovered locally fabricated firearms.

In another operation, the commissioner said a 24-year-old suspect was arrested in Bokkos over the alleged sexual assault of a 23-year-old woman while she was working on a farm.

He added that detectives arrested a 40-year-old man over the alleged rape of a nine-year-old girl.

The commissioner said police operatives also arrested a 23-year-old suspect at a hotel in Bassa Local Government Area following intelligence gathering.

He disclosed that four suspects were arrested during a raid in Angwan Rogo, where officers recovered a large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis and other substances suspected to be illicit drugs.

According to him, the command has sustained surveillance and raids on identified criminal hideouts and security flashpoints.

Mr Faniyan further said mobile police officers operating in Barkin Ladi engaged suspected bandits in a gunfight during an intelligence-led operation in the Kafi Abu area.

He added that police tactical operatives in Barkin Ladi sighted suspected illegal miners who abandoned their activities and fled into nearby bushes.

The commissioner said some of the arrested suspects had been charged to court, while investigations into other cases were ongoing.

He did not provide a breakdown of the arrests or specify how many suspects had been charged.

Police disburse ₦25.8 million to families of deceased officers
Mr Faniyan said the command had disbursed ₦25.82 million to 22 families of police officers who died in the line of duty.

He described the payment as part of efforts to support families of officers who died while serving the country.

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The commissioner attributed the state’s security efforts to cooperation between residents, security agencies and the Plateau State Government.

He said he had also engaged traditional rulers to strengthen collaboration between communities and security agencies.

Mr Faniyan reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting residents and visitors, adding that officers had been directed to respect citizens’ rights and uphold the rule of law.