IT
was gnashing of teeth and wailing at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital
(DASH), on Thursday, in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, when corpses
of some of the mobile policemen that were killed on Wednesday arrived
the premises of the hospital.The entire vicinity wore a mournful look, in anticipation of receiving the bodies, most of whom were burnt beyond recognition. Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that some of the corpses were arranged in heaps and set ablaze by their attackers.
As early as 7.30 a.m., the environment was jam-packed due to the mammoth crowd and number of motorcycles parked haphazardly at the main entrance of the hospital. No one was ready to speak with newsmen, as those Nigerian Tribune approached for comments declined.
Narrating his ordeal in a chat with the Nigerian tribune, one of the policemen who sought anonymity said his survival, alongside 19 others was only by the grace of God as they were outnumbered and overpowered by the outlawed Ombatse militia boys. He pointed out that the militiamen had prior knowledge of their coming and laid siege to the narrow road leading to the Alakyo village, where they were supposed to effect the arrest of their spiritual leader and recover arms said to be in his possession.
According to him, “the road was narrow and they allowed us into their midst before opening fire on us at close range. Effort to return fire and scare them into hiding was futile as bullets did not to penetrate them.”
The police officer told the Nigerian Tribune that the militiamen, dressed in black shirts and caps, kept approaching the police amidst heavy gunfire which forced their hilux vehicle to turn back being the last van on the convoy.
“Due to the nature of the road and ensuing gun duel, our men could not turn back and ten of us in our van were able to manoeuvre our way out but not without sustaining bullet injuries,” he added.
The recuperating officer added that their driver was shot on the leg but lucky enough one of those with him in front could drive and he immediately took over, saying many of the other officers took to the bush but being hugely outnumbered by the militiamen who knew the terrain better, they pursued and killed them.
“As soon as they kill an officer, his rifle was immediately taken off him,” he lamented.
Also speaking on condition of anonymity, a staff of the Red Cross Society, who went to evacuate the remains of the victims said the militiamen, who gave conditions that no armed security officer should accompany them, were still keeping close guard in the village. They seized their phones on entry which they returned after the evacuation.
Wives of slain police officers blocked Akwanga-Lafia federal highway
Wives of the slain policemen, on Thursday, blocked the ever–busy Akwanga-Lafia Federal highway for many hours, to show their grievances over the demise of their husbands.
The protest which was said to have taken place in front of Squadron 38 Mopol base in Akwanga kept many travelers stranded for many hours. Nigerian Tribune exclusively gathered that the Squadron Commandant who went to calm and appeal to the women was allegedly descended on heavily by the women.
When contacted on phone on the incident in Lafia, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Michael Ada, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) confirmed the protest to the Nigerian Tribune.
According to him, the women were demanding to know what actually happened to their spouses even as they called on the government to ensure that justice was done and the killers arrested and brought to book. The situation is now under control and the road is free.
Eyewitnesses told the Nigerian Tribune that the women came out in large number, set bonfire along the highway with many of them wailing uncontrollably and raining curses on those who perpetrated the acts.
I will deal decisively with perpetrators, Al- Makura vows
Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, on Thursday, vowed to deal with decisively with the perpetrators of last Tuesday unrest in which 90 security operatives lost their lives.
However, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abayomi Akeremale, confirmed that 30 security personnel lost their lives, while nine sustained various degrees of injury.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the emergency security meeting held at Lafia Government House, Governor Al-Makura, in an emotion laden voice, said the present administration under his leadership would not fold its arms or sit on the fence and watch innocent souls being wasted.
While condoling President Goodluck Jonathan and the Security Chiefs in Nigeria, the governor said the perpetrators would soon be brought to book in no distance time.
Also speaking, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP), Zone 4, AIG Micheal Zuokumor lamented why members of the outlawed Ombatse militia group would kill security operatives who were trained to protect lives and properties.
The AIG further berrated a culture were the police is being given negative connotation even when they put their lives on the line for the protection of lives and property of the citizenry.
The meeting had all the security chiefs in the state, traditional rulers and opinion and community leaders and top government functionaries.
IGP vows to bring perpetrators to book
The Police High Command yesterday said it received news of the unprovoked and brutal killing of scores of policemen who were on legitimate assignment in Nasarawa State on Wednesday.
In a statement in Abuja, Force spokesman CSP Frank Mba said that “this disturbing, condemnable and highly distressing incident, coming closely after similar ones in Bayelsa and Borno States, have thrown up new and emerging threat in the delicate task of policing our country.
“We consider the attack not just an attack on the Nigeria Police and its officers and men but an attack on the collective will of Nigerians to protect and preserve our dear fatherland; this we have vowed to put an end to.”
According to him, the IGP, MD Abubakar has directed all its field commanders and Special Units including Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police to harness all resources available within their domain in ensuring that this reign of terror and lawlessness is brought to an end.
He noted that the Nigeria Police working in conjunction with all positive minded Nigerians, will do everything within its powers to fish out and bring to book all those involved in this and other similar killings of law enforcement agents.
“We must put an end to this endless circle of impunity. Enough is enough,” he stated.
ACF condemns killings
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said the reported ambush of police and SSS by the Ombatse militiamen was an incidence that must be condemned by all Nigerians.
ACF, in a statement issued in Kaduna on Thursday by the National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, said the massacre was revolting because apart from the precious lives lost, those whose responsibility was to secure the lives and property of Nigerians were becoming the targets of religious sects, however defined.
“This is unacceptable and so should be condemned by not only all religions, but also by all peace loving Nigerians. ACF, therefore, condemns the mindless attacks in totality. Yet, we must not fail to point out the fact that criminals among us are shielding themselves with beliefs which they use to unleash crimes on fellow Nigerians. This country must regard and treat criminals for what they are, regardless of their faith.
“It is very important that the governments and all leaders, be they political, religious or traditional, must come together and confront this evil menace by addressing the underlying causes.
“Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones. May God provide them with fortitude to endure what has happened. May their souls rest in peace,” ACF said.
Reps condemn murder of policemen
The House of Representatives on Thursday condemned killing of the policemen and pleaded with the Nigerian Police to forgive the community for killing their men while on duty.
The House equally asked the state government to constitute a jucial panel of inquiry with a view to ascertaining the remote and immediate cause of the clash.
To this end, the House resolved to send a special delegation to commiserate with the state and families of victims. A minute silence was however observed in honour of the slained personnel.
The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Honourable Haruna Kigbu, who called on the Federal and Nasarawa State Governments to dialogue with different community groups on the path of peace against the use of force.
Honourable Kigbu in his submissions stated that the state have not known peace since January 2013 due incessant communal crises, leading to over a hundred loss of lives.
He added that,”If the Federal Government does not assist Nasarawa State government to maintain security and amicably resolve their communal differences, this may lead to further breakdown of peace and order”.
Honourable Beni Lar while contributing to the motion called for an all-encompassing approach against such occurrences as had been the cases across Nigeria.
Other lawmakers who spoke condemned the taking up of arms against security forces doing their constitutional jobs, saying it was criminal for anybody to take up arms against security forces in the line of duty.
When the motion was put to vote by the Speaker, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal who presided over the session it was unanimously adopted.
Document on how to tackle security challenges in the northern part of nigeria ready
A document suggesting how to tackle the present security challenges facing the northern part of Nigeria especially the Boko Haram insurgency is now ready.
The document is the outcome of 8 months of rigorous work by a committee set up by the Northern States Governors Forum under the leadership of Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu.
Copies of the document, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Thursday in Minna, Niger state capital was said to have been distributed to all the governors in the 19 Northern states for study ahead of their meeting slated for the end of this month.
A member of the Committee on ‘Reconciliation, Healing and Security’ who preferred to remain anonymous confirmed the readiness of this report in Minna on Thursday said that the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum has also been duly informed of the completion of the assignment of the committee.
The 80 page report according to the highly placed source made far reaching recommendations on how to tackle the security challenges in the region adding that once the governors adopts it and commence implementation ‘peace will return to the northern part of Nigeria.
“We believe that the implementation of this report will bring about economic revival of the north and also revives its lost glory as a result of insurgency.”
Though the source declined to give details of the recommendations he however said that everything will be done to assuage frayed nerves in the region, recover illegal arms in circulation and re- settle those who have been displaced as a result of the crisis that has hit the region for more than two years now.
He disclosed that the Chairman of the Northern States Governor’s Forum, Dr Babangida Aliyu, some governors and state governments in the region, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) the Jamaatu Nastril Islam (JNI) and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) were among the over 58 individuals, governments and organisations that submitted memoranda to the Committee.
Jonathan aborts state visit to Namibia
President Goodluck Jonathan has cut short his planned state visit to Namibia to return home in order to take personal charge of the deteriorating security situation in parts of the country.
He has been in South Africa in the last three days for a state visit as well as for a meeting of the World Economic Forum on Africa where he joined other regional and global leaders to brainstorm on new strategies for accelerating economic diversification and the availability of essential infrastructure on the continent.
The President was originally scheduled to proceed to Namibia at the end of the visit to South Africa on Thursday before returning to Nigeria on Friday.
But a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, on Thursday said “in view of recent developments at home in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan has cut short his visit to South Africa and aborted his state visit to Namibia which was due to start today.
“The President is returning to Abuja immediately to personally oversee efforts by national security agencies to contain the fresh challenges to national security which have emerged this week in Borno, Plateau and Nassarawa States.”
It added that on arrival, Jonathan would meet with the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and heads of national security services on arrival to review the security situation in the country.
Before leaving South Africa, President Jonathan had said that the Federal Government was working on a national industrial revolution plan to further encourage investors and local production.
Speaking to a delegation of Nissan South Africa in Cape Town, he said Nigeria was working on a new industrial revolution plan that would further promote investments in every sector of the Nigerian economy, and strengthen areas in which the country has comparative advantage.
According to him, the aim of this was “to create a win-win situation for both investors and the Nigerian people.”
Jonathan noted that the Federal Government was committed to stimulating local production in various sectors in the overall interest of Nigerians, especially in the automobile sector.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Nissan South Africa and leader of the delegation, Mr Mike Whitfield, said the Nissan Group was interested in investing in the automobile sector in Nigeria, in collaboration with their business partners and called for an industrial framework and the right policy environment to encourage investment flows.
At another audience, Jonathan commended the MTN Group for investing in the telecommunications sector in Nigeria, stating that government would continue to provide the necessary infrastructure to ensure a conducive environment for investments in the sector to thrive.
Chairman, MTN Group, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, thanked President Jonathan for the enabling environment for business in Nigeria and pledged that MTN would continue to be a good corporate citizen.
We killed 95 policemen with matchets —Ombatse cultist
A man who admits to be an Ombatse traditional religionist in Nassarawa State has told SaharaReporters the group killed 95 policemen Wednesday, nearly four times the 23 the police have admitted.
Earlier, Abayomi Akeremale, Nasarawa State Police Commissioner, said, “The Ombatse gunmen opened fire on our men, killing 23 and burning them,” adding that 17 officers remained missing.
Akeremale said the security forces decided to arrest some Ombatse leaders after they receive reports they were embarking on forced conversions in the village of Elakyo, near Lafia, the Nasarawa capital.
Speaking through an interpreter on the phone, the traditional religionist denied shooting at the policemen, saying his group responded only with machetes and knives, not bullets, and only after the police had killed nine of their members.
Denying that they have been committing force conversions in mosques and churches, he said the policemen arrived in 12 patrol trucks and opened fire on his group.
“We were in our place performing our rites, when our members alerted us that police may come for our father and leader,” he said. “Suddenly that day, the armed police came with guns and we say what happened? They did not answer us but started spraying teargas on us and killed nine of our members. In return for self defence we killed 95 of them, we have no guns it was machetes that we used in defending ourselves and eventually killed them. There is nothing like gun attacks.”
On attacking mosques and churches, the sect member, first pointing out he has not been instructed to speak, denied the reports.
“We don’t do that,” he told our reporter. “Our group is serious about morality, we are against liquor and don’t harbour it, no sleeping with men and no stealing. We are on our own seeking protection for our own people, and the police just entered us.”
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