IGP Orders Tactical Police Deployment to Troubled Plateau Communities Following Deadly Attacks

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical units to crisis-hit areas, following a wave of deadly attacks that have left dozens dead and communities in mourning.

The directive comes after the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) reported that over 50 lives were lost in a series of brutal assaults by suspected bandits, with the latest incident claiming at least 10 victims on April 4. Just a week prior, gunmen opened fire on mourners gathered in Ruwi community, Bokkos Local Government Area, further escalating tensions in the region.

Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed the IGP’s urgent directive, stating that the deployment is part of a broader strategy to halt the violence and restore calm across the affected communities.

Leading the intervention is Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Kwazhi Yakubu, who oversees the Department of Operations. He arrived in Plateau on Tuesday, April 8, to assess the situation and begin immediate coordination of response efforts.

“DIG Kwazhi will spearhead the mission with reinforcements that include elite tactical units, surveillance drones, Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), Police Mobile Force contingents, and air support via helicopters,” Adejobi said in a statement. “Specialized platoons from the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) will also join the operation.”

The force emphasized that these assets will be strategically positioned to execute precision operations aimed at disrupting the cycle of violence and safeguarding vulnerable communities.

The current wave of bloodshed began on March 28 when armed assailants launched a surprise attack in Bokkos, leaving several people dead and many others injured. Since then, multiple communities have come under siege in what authorities describe as coordinated and relentless assaults.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the IGP has mandated a multifaceted approach—one that not only suppresses current threats but also proactively prevents further violence.

Upon arrival, DIG Kwazhi paid a courtesy visit to Plateau State Governor Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, where he conveyed the IGP’s condolences to bereaved families and pledged unwavering police support.

“The visit was a crucial step toward understanding the root causes of these senseless killings,” said Adejobi. “It also provided a platform to explore long-term, sustainable solutions in collaboration with state authorities and local communities.”