Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Six Others Over Plateau Palm Sunday Killings

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested a suspected impostor and six others over their alleged involvement in the Palm Sunday attack in Gari Yawaye community, Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, which left over 30 persons dead and several others injured.

The command’s spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, identifying the impostor as Yakubu Abdullahi.

Alabo said Abdullahi was apprehended while dressed in military camouflage, describing the act as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and evade security scrutiny.

Items recovered from the suspect included an extra shirt and a fake identity card of the Nigerian Military School, indicating alleged impersonation.

He added that another suspect, Matthew Musa, 27, was arrested with two locally made firearms believed to have been used in the attack.

According to the police, the arrests followed ongoing security operations and investigations launched after violence erupted in Jos on March 29 and spread to other parts of the city.

“All seven suspects are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, where investigations are ongoing to uncover the wider network behind the attacks. They will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah, has ordered the deployment of additional personnel to affected areas to restore calm and prevent further breakdown of law and order.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to tackling criminal activities, warning that perpetrators of violence would be brought to justice.