POLICE CHIEF AMONG AMBUSH VICTIMS AS DEATH TOLL HITS 47

MORE deaths were recorded yesterday in the ambush of policemen and other security agents at Alakyo, a village near Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

Their bodies, brought into a hospital in 10 ambulances, were burnt beyond recognition.

Family members were confronted with the reality of the death of their loved ones as they thronged the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, to identify the bodies.

The death toll in the Tuesday ambush of policemen and State Security Service (SSS) operatives has risen to 47. It was initially put at 23. A BBC report said 17 were declared missing, presumably dead.

An Assistant Commissioner of Police is among the dead.

Nasarawa Police Commissioner Abayomi Akeremale told reporters that the casualty figure had increased to 30.

An on-line news publication, quoting top security sources, gave the name of the Assistant Commissioner of Police as Mohammed Momoh.

The Nasarawa police spokesperson could not confirm Mr. Momoh’s death but said he was missing.

The Directorate of State Security also said it had deployed a search and rescue team to determine fatalities of its operatives involved in the operation.

Akeremale told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lafia that nine police patrol vehicles were burnt. He said some officers on the patrol team were still missing.

He said no arrests had been made, adding: “But efforts are being made to bring the perpetrators of this dastardly act to book.

“We believe that members of the group are still in the bush around the area, and we would do all we can to smoke them out.”

Nasarawa State Governor Tanko al-Makura condoled with the families of the slain policemen.

He described the killing of security men as “disheartening and disturbing”.

A resident, Sani Musa Mairiga, said the cultists were forcing local villagers to swear an oath of allegiance to the group.

The state police chief said 17 officers were still missing.

A source at the hospital where the bodies were taken told the BBC dozens more policemen were killed in the attack.

Akeremale said about 60 police officers came under attack.

“We decided to send our men to the area to arrest members of Ombatse, including their priest,” he told the AFP news agency.

“[They] have been going to churches and mosques initiating people into their cult by forcibly administering an allegiance oath to unwilling people.”

The police were attacked near the shrine to the traditional deity of the Eggon people, in the village of Alakyo, near the state capital, Lafia.

The Ombatse, which means “the time has come” in the Eggon language, say they are fighting against social vices such as alcohol and adultery.

The manhunt for the suspects yesterday paralysed the Akwanga Lafia – Makurdi highway. Security agents combed the area for suspects.

Also yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan aborted his state visit to Namibia, following security challenges in Borno, Nasarawa and Benue states.

The President will meet with security chiefs on his return to Abuja tonight.

There was tension on the Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi highway as security agents combed Nasarawa Eggon for members of the Ombatse cult group.

There were fears that the cult group might have killed scores of policemen and security agents who went to raid the shrine in Alakyo, a village, which is about 10 kilometres to Lafia, Nasarawa State capital.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, 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.

“President Jonathan will on arrival, 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.”

After a five-hour siege along the highway, thousands of commuters heading to Makurdi, Cross River State, Ebonyi, and many places in the Southsouth were stranded.

A source, who was caught in the blockade, said: “I am on my way to Makurdi, but I have been stranded along with thousands of commuters in Akwanga for about five hours now(3pm).

“Security agencies have advised us against proceeding with the journey to Lafia, Benue, Southsouth and Southeast because they have moved in to curtail the Ombatse militia.

“The militia group has a base in Nasarawa Eggon where we will all pass through to get to Lafia and other destinations in Benue, Southsouth and the Southeast.

The source added: “We are suspecting a gun duel between the militia and security agencies. We can not move an inch outside Akwanga.”

Another source said the death toll in Tuesday’s ambush of police and other security agents many have been understated.

The source added: “Many decapitated bodies of policemen, security agents and locals were still being mopped up on Thursday in Alakyo village.

“The Everyone is living in fear in all parts of the state, especially Lafia which the militia could overrun with their mystical powers.

“The head of the militia, Baba Alakyo, is reputed to have mysterious powers which could make him vanish into thin air within seconds.”

Another source said: “The countdown to 2015 might have aggravated the clash with the militia. They are demanding that power should shift to Nasarawa Eggon in 2015 following fears that Al-Makura may want to seek re-election.

“This is why it is necessary for the Federal Government to ensure a full-scale investigation into the militia crisis in Nasarawa.”

Source: The Nation