Plateau Police Command Confirms Outbreak of Violence in Kanke

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
Plateau State Police command wednesday confirmed that there was an outbreak of violence in Kanke Local Government Area of the state, which led to the destruction of 24 shops and seven homes, with four motorcycles and a car burnt by youths of the place.

Addressing journalists at the state police headquarters, the Commissioner for Police in the state, Mr. Adekunle Oladunjoye, said the violence broke out on April 17 in the local government between the people of Kudu and Dawaki villages, both of Kanke Local Government Area of the state during a traditional festival.

The commissioner noted: “Following the gradual setting in of the rainy season and farming season, there has been growing apprehension among the civil population of possible attacks in the state, particularly within some areas by unknown criminal elements.

“The Police command has re-strategised and beefed up security within Jos metropolis and its environs.”

While parading 27 suspected criminals, Oladunjoye said ‎policemen from Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) on stop-and-search along Riyom / Ganawuri road, accosted seven youths and 504 rounds of 7.6 mm live ammunition, three motorcycles suspected to be stolen, four locally constructed AK 47 butts and Nine handsets were recovered from them.

From the strength of investigation, it is reasonably suspected that the groups were conveying the ammunition from Ganawuri axis to unleash terror on innocent persons around Riyom and Barkin Ladi and other places as raining season has set in.

“Similarly, on April 17, 2016, policemen from K-Vom division on routine patrol received information that armed men entered and were operating in the poultry farm of one Ogunjimi of federal college of Land resources and technology, Kuru, Jos.

“The hoodlums on sighting the policemen engaged them in a gun duel. One of the hoodlums, Rwang Adams of Kuru was arrested with a Military AKSZ and two handsets, while the other hoodlums escaped after been subdued following the superior firepower of the police.

“The state criminal investigation Department (SCID) investigating the case will arraign the suspects in court, when the investigations are concluded.”

He also said that “on the 10th of April 2016, at about 14 30 hours, Police men from state anti robbery Squad on routine patrol along Kwande road in Quanpan LGA apprehended 4 suspected armed robbers who were operating on the high way.