Police Parade Suspects In Plateau Violence
From: Isa Abdulsalami, Jos
Plateau State police command at the weekend paraded some suspects, including six men said to have killed one Nanmi Miri at Mabudi in Langtang South area of the state. Others paraded were arrested for various offences, ranging from looting and arson.
Deputy Police Commissioner in charge of crimes and investigations, Mr Sotonye Wakama who led the team, also displayed 10 locally and foreign-made guns voluntarily surrendered to the police by residents of Bokkos, Wase and Kadasko, in Wase council area
According to Wakama, the Mabudi killing was a fresh incident "which probably took place on July 26 as I have not got all the full details."
Some of the arrested suspects included those who were arrested in Yelwa for looting property from abandoned houses. Others were arrested in a luxury bus after they were found to be in possession of a locally-made revolver and three rounds of live ammunition.
Also paraded was a man who poisoned a public well with Gamallin in Shendam while another was arrested for attempting to damage a mosque in Shendam.
Wakama also paraded a juvenile, arrested in Bakin Ciyawa for being in possession of a missing person's personal effects.
Meanwhile, the immediate past Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Innocent Ilozuoke, has said that one of the greatest problems facing the state is the inability of the citizens to tell themselves the truth. He regretted that the people know the truth but lack the courage to openly say it " for fear of intimidation".
Ilozuoke spoke at a cocktail party organised in his honour at Government House, Jos at the weekend. He, however, reiterated that peace would be restored to the state if people learn to tell the truth.
He also advised the people to learn to accommodate others, no matter their differences, urging them to give the state Administrator all the necessary support to ensure his success.