The Nigerian Army says it has arrested six suspects over the ongoing communal crisis in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba state.
The Commanding Officer of the 93 Battalion, Takum, Lt.-Col. Chima Egemole, disclosed that recently, two peace meetings were held in Ibi as directed by the military high command but the rampaging youths turned deaf ears and continued to cause trouble in the area.
While parading the suspects before journalists in Takum on Sunday, Egemole said it took the prompt intervention of troops and other security agents to restore normalcy in the area.
DAILY POST recalls that the state Commissioner of Police, CP, Shaba Alkali, had on March 24, confirmed the death of seven persons in the ongoing communal crisis in the said LGA of the state.
Alkali said the command had in collaboration with the Army, deployed enough men to contain the situation and restore normalcy to the area in their vow to deal with the perpetrators and their sponsors ”no matter how highly placed they might be.’
According to the Commanding Officer, Egemole, the six suspects were arrested with arms and ammunitions, including three AK47 assault rifles, two AK47 magazines, 104 rounds of 7.2MM, 19 rounds of 5.5 MM, four single barrel guns, and 11 cartridges.
Egemole said, “Prior to the most recent incident on Friday, the two peace meetings held in Ibi were with the view to finding amicable solution to the crisis but it seems the miscreants are bent on going on with the with crisis. “A 24-hour curfew had been imposed on Ibi while manhunt for the remaining hoodlums was in progress.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai’s mission, along with the Police force, was to ensure the restoration of peace among all Nigerians.
“Measures have been put in place for more peace meetings to resolve the unfortunate crisis in the area.”
Egemole handed over the six suspects and the arms and ammunitions to Mr John Akpovwovwo, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO in Takum for further investigation and prosecution.
He, however, urged parents to properly educate the youths on the need for peaceful co-existence and tolerance among the inhabitants to give room for the development of the area.
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