After security operatives reportedly fired gunshots during an arrest operation in the area, fear gripped residents of Maraban Foron in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Thursday evening.

The incident, which occurred at about 7 pm, threw the community into confusion as residents fled for safety.
The sound of gunfire triggered panic across the area, with many people running in different directions.

A source told DAILY POST the operation allegedly involved a joint team of security operatives, including personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which caused widespread panic.

According to him, “A few residents sustained injuries while trying to escape the scene. The situation was worsened by the fact that the incident coincided with the community’s market day, forcing traders to hurriedly shut their shops, while others abandoned their goods and fled.”

The development, he said, rekindled memories of the recent violence in Angwan Rukuba, heightening fears of a possible fresh attack.

He added that the moment they heard gunshots, people started running; everyone was afraid because of what had happened recently in other parts of the state.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Movement, Rwang Tenglong, also confirmed the incident, saying that it caused panic in the community and left a few persons injured.

He explained that he could not ascertain the exact reason for the operation, and the identity of the person arrested could not be confirmed.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from security agencies were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

The Plateau Administration of Criminal Justice Law Implementation Support Group has trained 33 security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Correctional Service on rights-based approaches to ACJL.

The training, held on Friday in Jos, exposed officers to arrest procedures to improve professionalism.

The support group was established by the CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.

The group’s responsibility is to monitor the effective implementation of the ACJL in Plateau.

‎Stephen Katoh, chairman of the ACJL monitoring committee in Plateau, urged the participants to utilise the training to deepen their understanding of the ACJL.

Mr Katoh called on them to cascade the knowledge gained to their colleagues in their respective offices.

The chairman stated that the initiative was designed to address persistent gaps in how law enforcement officers discharge their duties, particularly regarding citizens’ rights.

According to him, the one-day training would reintroduce officers to the fundamental purpose of policing and law enforcement.

He added that during the training, participants would also be trained on proper procedures for issuing summons, handling complaints, and making arrests.

Mr Katoh stressed that officers must not act solely on the demands of complainants but must instead assess cases critically and act in accordance with legal provisions.

The chairman further emphasised that arrests and detentions must comply strictly with the law, noting that suspects should not be detained unnecessarily or beyond the stipulated timeframes.

Yilji Nenfwang delivered a keynote address on understanding the administration of criminal justice law of Plateau and the provisions on arrest procedures.

(NAN)