Osinbajo Orders Additional Security Measures for Southern Kaduna

• Belarus-trained police special force deployed

Anayo Okolie

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has deployed additional security measures, including 15, 285 policemen, who are now being put in place by the Nigeria Police in Southern Kaduna. This followed the meeting Osinbajo had with the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to Aso Rock towards the end of the week after a resurgence of violence in the area recently.

THISDAY gathered that Osinbajo wondered why despite the security measures and with the level of attention drawn to the area, the recent resurgence of violence resulting in the deaths of 21 persons was still possible in the area.

According to sources, Osinbajo had summoned the IGP to the Presidential Villa to find out what the police was doing to arrest the situation and to also issue further directives on restoring law and order to the affected communities.
The immediate outcome of the IGP’s meeting with the Acting President was the intensification and adoption of a set of additional security measures that would help contain the situation.

Besides, deploying over 15, 000 cops to the area, THISDAY also learnt that the police high command has now concluded arrangements for the establishment of a new Police Squadron in Kafanchan, Kaduna, as part of broad measures adopted to curb the violence.
THISDAY also gathered that 18 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and a unit of Belarus-trained police Special Forces have been deployed to Southern Kaduna.

The police, in addition, have now increased helicopter surveillance in the entire area to prevent a recurrence of violence in the communities.
Besides, the police have so far arrested 38 suspects linked to the violence while 29 firearms have been recently recovered.

The IGP, THISDAY learnt, has further assured that there would now be stronger police presence and security in Southern Kaduna. It would be recalled that at least 21 persons were killed in the latest attacks that has devastated several communities and displaced many people in Southern Kaduna.
The Army recently announced the formation of a new unit to be stationed in Southern Kaduna, all in a bid to contain the attacks.

In a similar development it was learnt that the Chief of Army Staff Lt. General T.Y. Buratai has briefed the Acting President on the situation in the Northeast where the Nigerian military is said to now hold an effective control of the situation and mopping up remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents on a “regular and constant basis.”
According to sources from the Office of the National Security Adviser, plans were underway for a major briefing on the overall security situation of the country for the benefit of the Nigerian public.