TENSION IN NASARAWA AS 43 POLICE MEN ARE KILLED

Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, today confirmed that the death toll from Tuesday’s attack on policemen by a militia had risen to 43.

Al-Makura announced the figure when he received a delegation from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who came to help in the search and rescue effort for victims.

He said 17 security personnel were still missing but added that the injured were responding to treatment, while some had been discharged from the hospital.

The governor said the ambush on policemen was an act of sabotage by the group, which might have infiltrated the ranks of security operatives in the state.


Al-Makura said prior to the operation, the government made efforts to invite the leader of the group, “but he refused to honour the invitation to explain some of the activities of the sect.”

He said the security agencies had been on the trail of the leader for months and had to take drastic action in order to check the excesses of the group.

“If we leave the group to continue infringing on people’s rights by forcing them to take concoction in order to initiate them into their fold, it would degenerate into a religious crisis.

“That is the justification for the action we took, unfortunately, we were betrayed by saboteurs,” the governor said.

He said the killing was unacceptable and that the government would do all within its power to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He commended NEMA for its prompt response and assured it of adequate support in the discharge of its duties.

Earlier, Air Commodore Charles Otegbade, Director of Search and Rescue, NEMA, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and the state government.

Otegbade said the team was in the state to assess the situation and report back for proper intervention as well as to provide immediate relief to families of the victims.
Source: Punch