Police arrest students over viral Plateau assault video

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested some female students in connection with a viral video showing the alleged assault of another female student in Pankshin Local Government Area.

The suspects, who are students of the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, were arrested following a directive by the state Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Faniyan.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, said in a statement on Friday that the commissioner ordered the Area Commander in Pankshin to identify and apprehend those involved after becoming aware of the video.

Alabo said the arrested students would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Jos after preliminary investigations.

He added that they would be prosecuted upon completion of the investigation.

The police spokesperson condemned the alleged assault, warning that acts of violence and jungle justice were criminal offences.

He also cautioned youths against recording and sharing violent acts on social media, saying such conduct could attract additional charges under cybercrime laws.

“It is not just you beating somebody or meting violence against your fellow human being; even having the mind to record it is cybercrime,” Alabo said.

He urged residents to seek the intervention of the police or other authorised bodies whenever disputes arise instead of resorting to violence.

The command also appealed to members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to enable them to respond quickly to criminal activities and prevent their escalation.