From Victor Osula, Abuja
…INEC Suspendes Voters Registration in 5 LGAs
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the deployment of additional operational asset including a police surveillance helicopter to Plateau State.
The development followed recent attack on some travellers along Rukuba Road in the Jos North Local Government Area of the state.
A statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, said 33 suspects have been arrested in connection to the attack which also left 22 dead and many injured.
The statement read, “As part of ongoing coordinated efforts at restoring public order in Rukuba and its environs, following the unfortunate incident of Saturday 14th, August 2021, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has ordered the deployment of additional operational asset including a Police Surveillance Helicopter, two units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and two cells of Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) to Plateau State.
“Police Airwing, is expected to carry out aerial surveillance and confidence-boosting patrols within the hotspots, in coordinated operations with the ground troops.
“The IGP noted that 13 additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, bringing the total number of arrested persons to 33. He assured that the NPF is committed to working with other patriotic stakeholders toward restoring public order in Plateau and other parts of the country.
“Meanwhile, the Head of the Police Intervention Team (PIT), DIG Sanusi N. Lemu, mni, is already on the ground in Plateau, coordinating Police investigative, operational and peace-building response.”
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday suspended the ongoing Continuous Voters’ Registration exercise in five local governments of Plateau State.
A statement issued on Monday by Mrs Caroline Okpe, INEC administrative Secretary, on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), the Commission said, the suspension was due to the curfew imposed by the state government.
“The suspension will affect the registration centres in Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Jos East, Jos North and Riyom local councils until further notice.
“INEC wishes to assure fresh voters, who had problems with their PVCs, that they would be promptly attended to as soon as the situation improves”, Okpe said.
According to Okpe, INEC had to suspend the exercise because it could not carry out such duty due to the unfortunate security breach, which compelled Plateau Government to impose a 24-hour curfew on Jos North.
She said the Commission would ensure that all eligible citizens in the state were registered when the situation improved.
