The Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris, has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police operations, Joshack Habilla, to ensure the arrest of the killers of Lazarus Agaie, the traditional ruler of Bokkos in Plateau, who was murdered in cold blood on Monday.

The directive is contained in a statement issued by the Force Public relations Officer, Don Awunah, in Abuja on Thursday.

The IGP said those behind the gruesome murder of the monarch would be fished out in record time for prosecution, adding that it was sad to see the life of any Nigerian, irrespective of his or her status, snuffed out by any criminal gang in whatever name.

Idris acknowledged that the death of the monarch, his family and orderly, were particularly painful, but he urged the people to remain calm and avoid reprisal attacks.

He called on the aggrieved to be patient and cooperate with the Police in their investigation as no stone would be left unturned in arresting the culprits.

The Police chief assured Nigerians that the force under his watch would ensure decency in the polity.

The Plateau Monarch was murdered alongside his wife, son and Police orderly.

Meanwhile, Soldiers attached to the Special Task Force on Jos crisis on Thursday reportedly opened fire on protesting youths of Bokkos community.

The youths were reported to have blocked the road leading to the community in protest of the killing of their king and another attack by hoodlums on the community on Wednesday night.

According to PREMIUM TIMES, witnesses say at least one person was killed and five others were injured.

The youths had reportedly refused the soldiers entrance into the area, and instead asked that they produce the killers of their king.

Residents say tension is high in Bokkos town with many fleeing the area to seek refuge elsewhere.

The weekly Thursday market in the town could not hold due to the crisis.

It was reported, however, that the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations, Habila Joshak, is currently in Bokkos, having been deployed from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, by the IGP to ensure the arrest of the killers of the monarch.

At Bokkos council police station where the youth gathered, Joshak called on the people to remain peaceful, assuring them that perpetrators of the crime would be arrested and prosecuted.