By Agency Reporter
No fewer than 377 persons are currently being held at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja in connection with the recent crises in Jos, Plateau State.
Out of the number, 162 are being prosecuted for their roles in the crises that resulted in the death of hundreds of people and the destruction of properties worth billions of naira.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, disclosed this on Monday.
Ojukwu said, “The first incident of January 17, 2010, the police arrested 213 persons for various acts relating to that incident.
“On the incident that took place in Jos South Local Government on March 7, the police found cases against 164 persons and they were detained and thoroughly investigated.
“Out of these numbers, we are charging 41 for culpable homicide punishable with death.
“Another 121 are to be charged with multiple offences which include unlawful possession of fire arms, rioting and mischief by fire and causing a grievous hurt.”
When asked if any suspect was arrested with fake military uniform, he said the police had not made such arrest.
He allayed fears of reprisal attack, assuring the people that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 4, Mr. Donald Iroham, was coordinating all the security posts in the state.
The police spokesman, who re-assured the people of security in the state, urged them to discountenance any impending attack, saying that “it is just a mere rumour”.
He advised that if people noticed any suspicious movement, they should quickly report such to the nearest police station.
The Punch
