The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris, has deployed a Special Tactical Force, to Zaki Biam in Benue State to contain the violence that broke out in the area two days ago when unknown gunmen attacked the community, leading to loss of several lives and property worth millions of Naira.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer,Jimoh Moshood, said that the special force comprises of “Police Mobile Force, PMF, (specially trained Anti-Riot Policemen), Counter Terrorism Units, Conventional Policemen, Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SIB, detachment of EOD, Police K9 (Sniffer Dogs Section), Police Air wing (Aerial Surveillance Helicopters) and other undercover operatives.

Jimoh further stated that the team whose headquarters will be in Zaki Biam, Ukum LGA, Benue State, will be headed by “the Commissioner of Police in charge of PMF, Force Headquarters, Abuja under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations.”

“To achieve success of the operations, the Police Special Tactical Force will be proactive, work on actionable intelligence already at the disposal of the Nigeria Police Force, and carry out massive deployment, and 24 hours surveillance and patrol, continuous raids of identified and other suspected hideouts of the assailants, with a view to arrest promptly the attackers and their sponsors to prevent further loss of lives and nip in the bud the senseless killings and other criminalities in the general area,” the statement read in part.

Moshood explained that the deployment of the Police Special Tactical Force personnel will cover all the communities, towns, villages, vulnerable points, Government and private infrastructures and facilities in the area.

He added that Police helicopters will embark on guided missions and aerial surveillance of the entire area, most especially difficult terrains and will operate in synergy with other Police formations on the ground.

The police spokesman further noted that a Joint Investigation Team has been attached to the Police Special Tactical, headed by an experienced Commissioner of Police under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police, who are already in Zaki Biam and are making progress in the investigation into the killings of innocent people.

IGP Ibrahim was quoted in the statement as urging religious, traditional and political leaders in Benue state “to prevail on their subjects and the youths to exercise restraint and support the personnel of the Police Special Tactical Force in the discharge of their responsibilities to bring the perpetrators of these gruesome killings to justice.”

He further assured citizens of the State of the Police’s commitment to the protection of their lives and properties, if only they would “allow justice and peace to prevail and also cooperate with the personnel of the Police Special Tactical Force deployed in their localities.”