The Plateau State Police Command has apprehended a fake soldier and six additional suspects over their alleged involvement in the deadly Palm Sunday attack in Gari Yawaye community, Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, which claimed over 30 lives and left many injured.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, identifying the impostor as Yakubu Abdullahi.
Alabo explained that Abdullahi was arrested while clad in military camouflage, describing the act as a calculated attempt to deceive members of the public and evade security checks.
He further revealed that items recovered from the suspect included an extra shirt and a counterfeit identity card of the Nigerian Military School, suggesting deliberate impersonation.
The police spokesman said the arrests were the outcome of sustained security operations and investigations launched following the resurgence of violence in Jos on March 29, which later spread to other parts of the city.
He added that another suspect, Matthew Musa, aged 27, was arrested during the operation in possession of two locally made firearms believed to have been used in the attacks.
“All seven suspects are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, where investigations are ongoing to uncover the wider network responsible for the violence. They will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement said.
In response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah, has directed the immediate deployment of additional personnel to volatile areas within Jos and neighbouring communities to restore peace and prevent further unrest.
The command also reiterated its stance against criminality, warning that those involved in acts of violence would face the full weight of the law.
