The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ombatse

  • Ombatse roars!

    Ombatse roars!

    Security men should prevent Nasarawa Eggon ethnic militia from launching another attack

    Nasarawa State is yet to recover from the disruptive and destructive 2013 murderous clashes around the Alakyo village that left more than 500 people dead and thousands displaced. Although the community is small, the effect reverberated throughout Nigeria, as personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) and policemen fell in the attacks. The reprisals were no less deadly as many innocent people, including women and children were mowed down in the cross- fire.

    In the aftermath of the clashes, both the federal and Nasarawa state governments promised to stamp out such ugly development. As usual, enquiries were launched, followed by the usual refrain, “we shall leave no stones unturned until we get to the root of the matter and all the culprits are brought to book.” Beyond the theatrics and rhetoric, nothing concrete has been done. It is, therefore, no surprise that the militia is threatening again to disrupt the peace of the area. We call on the security forces to take pre-emptive measures to prevent bloodletting in the state.

    We also call on the Nasarawa Sate government to revisit the enquiries and their reports with a view to ensuring that justice and fairness constitute the bedrock of governance. While the victims should be compensated and rehabilitated, the culprits should be made to face the full wrath of the law. The point should be clearly made that the Nigerian state is a going concern, able to keep the peace within its territory and enforce the Rule of Law.

    We note with concern that the security agencies have failed to establish their monopoly of coercive powers – in the Niger Delta where the avengers are  vandalising oil pipelines; the South East where the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) are on the loose and Boko Haram continues to unleash terror in the North East. Unless the security agents learn to deal decisively and justly with such ugly developments, the Nigerian state will continue to face the consequences of such monsters.

    We ask: what happened to the reports of previous panels of enquiries? How decisively has the state’s ministry of justice dealt with the matter? The Federal Government should not watch disinterestedly since it controls all the security agencies. The two tiers of government should collaborate to ensure that the looming crisis is averted. The lives of Nigerians should count for something and security personnel also deserve protection that could be offered by the Nigerian state.

    What is the Federal Government doing to gather intelligence on the Ombatse cult? What is the current strength of the militia? How has the death of its founding father affected its operation? What is the government doing to ensure that innocent people, especially the unemployed youth, are not lured by the murderous gang? These are questions that must be answered in the interest of the state and its people.

    Nasarawa State has unfortunately become notorious as a killing field. When the clashes are not partisan, they are communal. At other times, economic consideration leads inexorably to violent eruptions. These must stop if there must be social development. Ordinarily the buck should stop on the desk of Gov. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura as the chief security officer. But security is not in the hands of governors but the federal agencies. It is the case all over the country.

    The Federal Government is trying to diversify the economy by according a pride of place to solid minerals. Nasarawa is a natural home of solid minerals and all hands must be on deck to ensure that it does not slide into the chaos that reigns in the oil-rich Niger Delta states.

    Nasarawa State is yet to recover from the disruptive and destructive 2013 murderous clashes around the Alakyo village that left more than 500 people dead and thousands displaced. Although the community is small, the effect reverberated throughout Nigeria, as personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) and policemen fell in the attacks. The reprisals were no less deadly as many innocent people, including women and children were mowed down in the cross- fire.

    In the aftermath of the clashes, both the federal and Nasarawa state governments promised to stamp out such ugly development. As usual, enquiries were launched, followed by the usual refrain, “we shall leave no stones unturned until we get to the root of the matter and all the culprits are brought to book.” Beyond the theatrics and rhetoric, nothing concrete has been done. It is, therefore, no surprise that the militia is threatening again to disrupt the peace of the area. We call on the security forces to take pre-emptive measures to prevent bloodletting in the state.

    We also call on the Nasarawa Sate government to revisit the enquiries and their reports with a view to ensuring that justice and fairness constitute the bedrock of governance. While the victims should be compensated and rehabilitated, the culprits should be made to face the full wrath of the law. The point should be clearly made that the Nigerian state is a going concern, able to keep the peace within its territory and enforce the Rule of Law.

    We note with concern that the security agencies have failed to establish their monopoly of coercive powers – in the Niger Delta where the avengers are  vandalising oil pipelines; the South East where the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) are on the loose and Boko Haram continues to unleash terror in the North East. Unless the security agents learn to deal decisively and justly with such ugly developments, the Nigerian state will continue to face the consequences of such monsters.

    We ask: what happened to the reports of previous panels of enquiries? How decisively has the state’s ministry of justice dealt with the matter? The Federal Government should not watch disinterestedly since it controls all the security agencies. The two tiers of government should collaborate to ensure that the looming crisis is averted. The lives of Nigerians should count for something and security personnel also deserve protection that could be offered by the Nigerian state.

    What is the Federal Government doing to gather intelligence on the Ombatse cult? What is the current strength of the militia? How has the death of its founding father affected its operation? What is the government doing to ensure that innocent people, especially the unemployed youth, are not lured by the murderous gang? These are questions that must be answered in the interest of the state and its people.

    Nasarawa State has unfortunately become notorious as a killing field. When the clashes are not partisan, they are communal. At other times, economic consideration leads inexorably to violent eruptions. These must stop if there must be social development. Ordinarily the buck should stop on the desk of Gov. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura as the chief security officer. But security is not in the hands of governors but the federal agencies. It is the case all over the country.

    The Federal Government is trying to diversify the economy by according a pride of place to solid minerals. Nasarawa is a natural home of solid minerals and all hands must be on deck to ensure that it does not slide into the chaos that reigns in the oil-rich Niger Delta states.

  • Al-Makura vows to prosecute Ombatse militia, sponsors

    Al-Makura vows to prosecute Ombatse militia, sponsors

    Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Al-Makura yesterday vowed to ensure the prosecution of members of the Ombatse militia and their sponsors over the killing of innocent of people and destruction of property in the state.

    Al-Makura, who stated this in Lafia promised not to relent until justice was done.

    “We will go to the logical conclusion in bringing the culprits to book.

    “We will go through the right process and make sure whoever is involved, even if you have immunity, we will wait for the period of the immunity to expire and then, we will get back to you.”

    According to him, dropping name will not help them because his administration is passionate about bringing to book people who have given the entire citizens of this state sleepless night.

    The governor said that the most challenging thing before him was how to deal with ‘’these criminals.

    “How I stand up to Ombatse is my biggest challenge and no matter how they run, no matter how highly placed is their leaders, I most bring them to book”.

    “If that is the only thing I will do, I will do it so that I can give my people some kind of sense of peace, sense of protection and sense of security.

    “If these people are thinking they are going to destabilise me or unsettle me by this sporadic criminal activities, attacking innocent people, innocent tribes, will weaken my nerves, that will strengthen my nerve.

    “I am here first and foremost as governor to ensure that every citizen of this state is protected; that is my most important responsibility.”

  • Al-Makura: no amnesty for Ombatse militia

    Al-Makura: no amnesty for Ombatse militia

    Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura yesterday said his administration is not planning to grant amnesty to the Ombatse militia group since the judicial commission on enquiry probing its activities has not completed its assignment.

    The governor spoke in Abuja, where he denied a statement credited to him on the security challenges in the state at the Institute for Security Studies, Bwari, Abuja, on Tuesday.

    He noted that when the report of the commission is out, those who killed security personnel in Alakyo, would be brought to face justice.

    According to him, it is a figment of some people’s imagination that his administration was planning to grant amnesty to the killers.

    Al-Makura explained that through the findings of the panel, the state would identify the culprits and their financiers and bring them to book.

    He said: “This is to clear the misrepresentation that has been credited to me during my lecture at the Institute of Security Studies at Bwari. As a matter of fact, I feel really worried by the representation because nothing can be farther from the view and mindset than matters being misrepresented.

    “In fact, myself and my administration are bent on bringing to book the criminals who perpetrated the dastardly act at Alakyo, which resulted in the killings of security operatives during that operation.

    “What is even more disheartening is our intention to get to the root of this problem so that we will be able to identify who are the culprits, who are the sponsors and who are the financiers. We have gone all the ways to constitute a judicial commission of enquiry so that we can bring to book the perpetrators.

    “It is unfair on me and my government for any media organisation to insinuate that this government is mulling the idea of an amnesty. That is farthest from the truth.”

    The governor said the panel’s report, which he advised the people not to pre-empt, would help his administration to adopt a conflict resolution mechanism.

    “Nobody is talking about that (amnesty) now. Once we get the report and analyse it, we’ll get the people to face justice. Then, we can draw our conflict resolution approach and fish out people who harbour arms so that we can reduce their presence within the society,” he said.

  • Boko Haram, Ombatse, militants on prowl

    Boko Haram, Ombatse, militants on prowl

    Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the security challenge and its debilitating effects on the polity

    This year’s budget is a special one. Over one trillion naira was budgeted for defense. The goal is to stem insecurity nationwide. But this objective has not been achieved. Never has insecurity of this magnitude threatened Nigeria’s existence since the end of the civil war.

    No state is insulated from terror. The key strategy of government has been to shore up the capacity and of law enforcement agencies for prompt response to emergencies. This also includes the implementation of the key recommendation in the 2006 Presidential Committee Report on the Reform of Administration of Justice, with regards to the police and prisons, targeted at improving the welfare and operational capacity of law enforcement agencies.

    In this decade, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has suffered a major setback , due to widespread insecurity and inconsistencies in policy decisions. Foreign investors have been discouraged to invest, despite the vast economic opportunities.The telecommunication giants have suffered sustained attacks on their critical infrastructure in the North. There have been persistent attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta. The kidnapping of foreign nationals in the region is also a disincentive for foreign investments.

    In the North, the dreaded Boko Haram sect is on the prowl. Poverty in the geographical zone seems to have worsened as many business enterprises have shut down operations due to carnage. If concerted efforts are not intensified by the government, security experts warn that the North may be cut off from trade and commerce.

    So far, the security strategies employed by the military are not yielding substantial results. Experts have suggested that tackling the security problems goes beyond rhetoric or partisanship. It requires political will.

    Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr Young Arebame said the Federal Government should be held responsible for the security challenges. He alleged that the Federal Government has failed to put in place an effective and efficient police system.

    Arebame noted that the allocation to the police in the annual budget, which is grossly inadequate, shows the value that government places on life.

    His words: “Without security, nothing works and nothing will work in Nigeria, for as long as we relegate the police to the background in security matters. For goodness sake, how do you send your troop to the war front with bare hands and expect them to win? Are we not deceiving ourselves going abroad to look for investors? Who will come and invest in an insecured environment?

    “The stability of a nation is dependent on the efficiency and effectiveness of the nation’s police because it is the sole responsibility of the police to provide security and safety for all and sundry.

    “Before the civil war, Nigeria Police was among the highest paid. As a result, it attracted other professionals like bankers, teachers and career civil servants to enlist. Today, well to do Nigerians would not encourage their wards to join police because they regard it as profession meant for drop outs and street urchins.

    “Cosmetic approach or buck passing will not solve the problem. Lagos is working because the state government spends heavily to equip the police and pays them allowances . People are happy working and living in Lagos. If the Federal government wants to secure the country, it should be ready to spend.”

    On the poor state of the police, the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar said: “We do so much with so little, even with nothing. This is the only country in the world where you go to a police station and there is no water, there is no light, there is no vehicle, no communication equipment and the police is expected to perform miracle. This is the only country that you see policemen on the street fighting armed robbers, fighting terrorists without bullet proof jackets, working in the rain without raincoats and he still stays there. I don’t know of any other country.”

    Former Commissioner of Police for Federal Capital Territory Mr Lawrence Alobi said a nation that underfunds its police is likely to face internal security challenges. He said that many agencies are collecting funds for doing nothing. Such funds, he suggested, should be channelled towards the procurement of equipment and facilities for the police.

    Making a case for the state police, Arebame noted that 400,000 policemen are grossly inadequate for a country of over 140 million people. The establishment of state police will complement the efforts of the federal police and enhance capacity, not only to fight crime, but to protect lives and property.

    He said as long as Nigerian Police is unitary, intelligence gathering will remain a farce. That is what we have seen in Borno, Yobe and other states being terrorised by Boko Haram. Those who know them are not the one policing the states.

    He cited the case of the late Lawrence Aninih, the kingpin of the underworld, who terrorised Edo State. “Aninih was captured when a Benin police officer was sent there. He achieved this feat because he was familiar with the terrain and the Benin culture”.

    The Federal Government had declared a state of emergency in Bornu, Yobe and Adamawa states. But the measure has not reduced the violent activities of Boko Haram. A section of the sect has even rejected amnesty.

    Last year, President Goodluck Jonathan could not even celebrate the independence anniversary at Eagles Square, Abuja because the sect members threatened to bomb the venue.

    Sources said that many federal legislators, ministers, and special advisers are afraid to spend their weekends in the troubled states. They stay in Abuja.

    But the Federal Capital Territory has also come under attack by the terrorists. What therefore, is the way out?

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said the issues can be discussed at the national conference. “The issues can be discussed at the conference. For example, some people are fighting. They say they want this or that. If we get there, we will discuss all these issues”he added.

     

     

  • Ombatse: Emergency rule likely in Nasarawa

    Ombatse: Emergency rule likely in Nasarawa

    If the deployment of troops in Nasarawa State does not stop the violence by the Ombatse militia, the Federal Government may declare a state of emergency, it was learnt yesterday.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Services, Senator Suleiman Adokwe, said this in Abuja when reviewing the latest killings in the state.

    The Federal Government on Wednesday drafted troops to the state, following a fresh outbreak of ethnic hostilities.

    Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, announced the decision of the Federal Government to draft troops to the troubled state.

    Adekwe said he was trapped in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, when the latest skirmishes began on September 13.

    He said there was no doubt that the activities of the Ombatse militia had gone out of hand.

    The lawmaker, who represents Nasarawa South, said he had concluded arrangements to sponsor a motion, praying the Senate to prevail on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Nasarawa due to the heightening spate of Ombatse’s activities. He hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for sending soldiers to the state.

    According to him, at the moment, the deployment of the soldiers may be sufficient to mitigate the problem.

    Adokwe said they are studying the situation and if deployment of soldiers fails to address the problem, he and others would back the House of Assembly, which had called for a state of emergency.

    He said: “State of emergency is what we really need in the state.

    “I was in Nasarawa when the violence broke out. Up till today, nobody can give the reason why the hostilities broke out.

    “The activities of the Ombatse started last year when they clashed with the Asakyo. It was almost like a full-blown war.

    “For three days, people were being killed, houses were being burnt, villages were being wiped out. This went on for two days.

    “I was trapped in Lafia and it was clear that the situation was worse than a normal, communal clash; it was a war situation.

    “Soldiers came but they were not sufficient to contain the hostilities. More soldiers were later drafted from Makurdi, Shendam and Keffi. They were mobilised to the state before peace could be restored.

    “So, I applaud President Jonathan for sending soldiers there.

    “In fact, I have prepared a motion, to seek a state of emergency, but at the moment, the deployment of the soldiers is sufficient to mitigate the problem.”

    “If we study the situation and feel it is getting out of hand, I will support members of the House of Assembly, who have already called for a state of emergency.”

    On the shunning of the commission of enquiry set up by the state government, Adokwe said: “We are dealing with people, who do not believe in due process. They have refused to avail themselves of the judicial commission of enquiry set up by the government where people are expected to go and state their cases.

    “Ombatse is not your everyday social organisation. This is almost a cult body that has rules different from the regular rules that apply to normal societies.

    “So, they damn the consequences. They don’t give a damn!

    “It’s either the law enforcement agencies make proper arrests and prosecute whoever is perpetrating this or they will continue to have a field day. Our submission is that the Commission of Enquiry or White Paper are not going to work!

    “What will work is simple. Whoever is a criminal, perpetrating crimes, should be fished out and prosecuted.

    “If the security agencies and government would not rise up to secure Nasarawa State, it means the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is not safe. Marauders can invade the FCT from Nasarawa State within five minutes.”

  • Ombatse cult: FG deploys troops to Nasarawa

    The Federal Government has ordered immediate troops’ deployment to Nasarawa State, as members of the dreaded Ombatse ethnic militia continue to threaten the peace and security in the state.

    Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, who announced the deployment at a briefing on Wednesday, said the troops would be deployed from a battalion of the Nigerian Army.

    The militia group had earlier in the year, ambushed and killed no fewer than 49 policemen and 10 officers of the State Security Service (SSS) at Lakyo village during a joint reconnaissance exercise.

    Members of the militia also inflicted heavy casualties on the civilian population, particularly people who did not belong to their ethnic group, or those perceived to be against their traditional beliefs.

    Ever since, the security situation in the state has continued to take a frightening dimension, with prospects of the violence spreading to neighbouring states.

    “Due to the heightened security situation in Nasarawa State, the Federal Government has ordered the deployment of Nigerian Army troops in order to prevent further escalation of the violence and its spread to other parts of the state.

    “It is gratifying to note that the deployment of Nigerian Army troops in the violence prone area has helped in curbing the spread of violence by the Ombatse and other ethnic militia groups in Nasarawa State. The Federal Government and the Nasarawa State government are exploring other ways of ensuring quick return to normalcy,” Gen. Attahiru stated.

    The Army spokesman also said nine officers and men are currently being tried in a General Court Martial for offenses ranging from murder, manslaughter, issuing threats and use of abusive or provocative language.

    According to him, some of the soldiers were also being tried for fighting, quarreling, disobedience and other tendencies capable of threatening established order.

     

     

  • ‘How Ombatse killed 73 security personnel at Lakyo’

    •Commission bars media coverage of ‘security memoranda’

    How many security operatives were killed by the Ombatse militia group at Lakyo village in Nasarawa State on May 7?

    Seventy-three security personnel comprising 63 policemen and 10 State Security Service (SSS) operatives died in the attack, it was revealed yesterday.

    Twenty-eight security operatives were said to have survived the ambush.

    This revelation was contained in the memorandum of the Nasarawa State Police Command, which was read before the Judicial Commission of Enquiry probing the incident in Lafia.

    The report of the police, said to have been signed by the Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police (CP), was presented in “camera”.

    According to our source, the submission was said to have been read by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Sam Ewa, who represented the CP.

    Of the 73 security personnel, who died, five were said to have been burnt beyond recognition.

    It was learnt that the decision to deploy the security personnel in the village was taken and approved by the Nasarawa State Security Council.

    It comprises the governor, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), heads of security agencies, key traditional rulers, among others.

    It was further learnt that the mission of the security agencies was to seal off the Baba Lakyo shrine.

    This, it was learnt, followed “intelligence report” said to have been at the disposal of the state government that the Ombatse militia group was allegedly carrying out “criminal activities and occult acts” there.

    It was also learnt that the mission was a joint operation of the conventional police, SSS, Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) and a detachment of anti-riot policemen drawn from the Tiger Squadron 38 of the Mobile Police based at Akwanga.

    Another source described the 15- page report by the police as “very scanty.”

    The questions reportedly posed to the police witnesses were said to have either been parried or declined, citing “security reasons.”

    The source said besides the list of names of those who died in the attack and names of the 28 survivors, the report did not disclose how the mission was planned and executed.

    Superintendent of Police (SP) Nelson Igbinoba, said to have been one of the survivors of the ambush, was reported to have testified before the commission.

    He was said to have claimed that he could not shoot during the attack because his gun “hooked.”

    Igbinoba was said to have claimed that he dispossessed one of the Ombatse militia of his machete with which he fought his way through.

    Of the 28 security personnel, who allegedly survived the attack, Igbinoba was quoted by our source to have helped rescued seven.

    He was also quoted as saying that he was assigned to go on the mission by his boss, the Officer in Charge (OC) of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Nasarawa State Police Command.

    Earlier, the commission had barred the media from covering the presentation of the police report.

    Chairman of the commission, Justice Joseph Fola Gbadeyan, described the report as sensitive.

    The commission decided to hear the report, tagged: “Security memo” in camera following an application by the Officer in Charge (OC) of the Legal Services in the Nasarawa State Police Command, Superintendent of Police (SP) Saleh Adam Maidawa.

    Maidawa urged the panel not to allow the proceedings to be aired live during the presentation of the police memorandum.

    He said the application became necessary in view of the fact that investigation into the incident at Lakyo village where over 50 security personnel were said to have been killed has not been concluded.

    Maidawa said: “I wish to apply that the proceedings of the police should not be aired for security reasons.

    “It should not be aired live for security reasons. This is in view of the fact that investigations into the incident have not been concluded. It is ongoing and the fact that any live telecast of this session will jeopardise the investigation.”

    At that point Justice Gbadeyan asked whether all the lawyers present at the panel’s sitting have read the police memorandum and they said no.

    He said: “I hope all members of the bar interested in this memorandum have read the memorandum. When we said the memoranda should not be circulated, that is not to mean that the counsel should not be allowed to read the memoranda. But we said the memoranda should be made available for every member at the bar to read at the secretariat.”

    At that juncture, counsel to the commission, Mrs. Funso Lawal, said: “In the circumstance and in the interest of justice, I don’t know whether the memorandum can be stand down for the counsel to read it from the secretary to the commission?

    “The instruction was for the counsel to approach the secretary and it would have been made available. Even those who wrote to have access to it did not go to the secretariat. So it was not the fault of the commission.

    “The memorandum has been available with the secretary for all counsel to have access. It is circulation that was restricted not to the counsel.”

    Gbedeyan, granting the request of the police, said: “Will one hour be enough for you (lawyers) to read the police memorandum?

    “Please and please, don’t photocopy the memorandum. The security memoranda are sensitive – that of the police, the SSS and the state government.

    “We will give you (lawyers) one hour 30 minutes, so you can read the memorandum, then we will come back at 2pm for the presentation of the memorandum and cross-examination.

    “At that time; the public, we will meet you some other time. We want you to excuse us so that we can take the memorandum in camera.”

    The chairman of the commission adjourned proceedings for one and a half hours to enable the counsel representing other interested parties study and make notes to aid them during cross-examination.

    The commission had earlier embargoed the three memoranda that it termed “sensitive security documents.”

    The chairman ordered that the three memoranda should not be circulated “to the public” due to their security implication for the state.

    The chairman advised lawyers, who sought copies, to meet the secretary of the commission, who will give them copies of the memoranda to “read and jot” necessary points.

    He ordered that no photocopy should be made of the memoranda.

    Lawyers yesterday read the police report and took notes under the close watch of the commission’s workers, who were detailed to ensure that none of the documents left the courtroom.

    Justice Gbadeyan ordered reporters out of the court, saying the three security reports would be taken in camera.

    He said: “The proceedings will be in camera. We appreciate the contributions and cooperation of the press.

    “For this particular police memorandum, that of the State Security Service (SSS) and the state government, there shall be no live coverage or broadcast. So, they should kindly excuse us.”

    Following this ruling, the security agents providing security at the court ordered the reporters of Channels Television, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Daily Trust, Precious FM, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN and the Nasarawa State Broadcasting Service (both radio and television) out of the court.

    Besides the other media covering the proceedings of the panel, the Nasarawa State Broadcasting Service (NBS), which has been transmitting the proceedings of the commission live since its inaugural session on July 18, also removed its outside broadcast van from the premises following the directive.

  • Nasarawa killings: Community accuses lawmakers of supporting Ombatse

    •Says 49 persons were killed in Iggah

    Senator Solomon Ewuga and a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Kigbu Haruna, were yesterday accused of playing key roles in the activities of the Ombatse Militia Group.

    Ewuga represents Nasarawa North and Haruna represents Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency.

    The Ombatse also allegedly killed 49 Gwandara people in Iggah community during an attack in January.

    These revelations were contained in a memorandum submitted by the Gwandara Community of Iggah in Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State to the Justice Joseph Fola Gbadeyan-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry probing the killing of over 50 security personnel at Lakyo village.

    They alleged that the “founders and promoters” of Ombatse include “Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA).”

    The submission was presented to the panel by the head teacher of Government Junior Secondary School (GJSS), Wakama, Mohammed Nasir Sadiq.

    The document was signed by Sadiq, Yusuf Sanusi, Bala Mohammed and Mohammed Osuse Garba.

    According to the community, “the Ombatse activities came to play in full force when Senator Solomon Ewuga went to Assakio in 2007 for his electioneering campaign.”

    Sadiq, presenting the memorandum, alleged that “Ombatse with all kinds of sharp knives and cutlasses, magical charms and amulets – all round them” were on the campaign train of Senator Ewuga in 2007.

    The community’s counsel, Mr. Mohammed Elegu Usman, led Sadiq in the presentation.

    He said: “The activities of the Eggon Ombatse militants started showing in 2007 when many people contested for the governorship of Nasarawa State, including Solomon Ewuga, who is of Eggon extraction.

    “On March 30, 2007, Ewuga went to Assakio for political campaign with a large convoy with reasonable large members of Ombatse militants brandishing sharp knives and cutlasses with the intention to demonstrate their overwhelming numerical superiority and to intimidate the people of Assakio.

    “One of the Ombatse militants, trying to exhibit his expertise with a sharp knife, accidentally split his own stomach open and died.

    “Also, in the crisis that took place in Agyaraguu, Senator Ewuga was in the front line with Dr. Haruna Kigbu (House of Representatives member for Lafia/Obi), to console with the people of Agyaragu.

    “The one that took place on January 12, Senator Ewuga was also at Iggah.

    “Finally, at the heat of the unfortunate situation in Alakyo, Senator Solomon, Dr. Haruna Kigbu and others were also at Alakyo village just to make an alibi for the supreme leader of Ombatse, Baban Alakyo.

    “It is common sense that anybody or group of persons, who are always interested in a particular activity or act or always in the front line to put defence for them or to console such persons, who are victims of the devilish act of militias etc, it is clear that they are interested parties of Ombatse and are either supporting them financially, or morally.”

    He further alleged that Ewuga came to the scene of a siege on the Gwandara people of Iggah community in Nasarawa-Eggon by the Ombatse and pleaded with the victims not to panic.

    Sadiq said: “About 3pm to 4pm on January 12, from nowhere, Senator Ewuga showed his face in Iggah after holding a brief meeting with militant Ombatse.

    “He addressed us that this crisis is not with us the Gwandara and as such, we should not go out of Iggah.”

    He said between January 9 and 10, there was a bloody clash between the Eggon Ombatse militants in Ruwan Doma in Kokona Local Government and the Fulani ethnic group.

    The Gwandara people of Iggah provided refuge for the fleeing Eggon people from the troubled neighbouring Ruwan Doma.

    He added: “Iggah, being peace-loving people, we aided the women and children with water, food and shelter as some passed the night in Iggah, while others headed for other Eggon villages where they found refuge.

    “The Eggon refugees left Iggah on January 11 as tension continued to mount. By January 12, the whole of Iggah was surrounded by Ombatse militants, who were well-armed with sophisticated weapons.

    “On noticing the situation we found ourselves, we the Gwandara of Iggah resolved that we should also leave the village to avoid becoming a victim of the clash between Ombatse and the Fulani.

    “The Eggon Ombatse militants on that day stopped our people – Gwandara in Iggah – from running out for their lives as they surrounded our town and blocked the routes.”

    He alleged that Ewuga visited Iggah community that same day to plead for calm.

    He added: “The militant Ombatse insisted that they must kill us. Senator Ewuga told the Ombatse militias that the Eggon are not having problems with the Gwandara of Iggah for now, but the Fulani.

    “Senator Ewuga left with some of our people, who had cars, while the Ombatse were still keeping others in the community hostage.

    “In the course of escaping, Muhammed Isah Mairogo was killed by Ombatse militias in our presence.”

    He further alleged that on February 1, after the crisis subsided, the state government returned the displaced persons and stationed security operatives in Iggah.

    “Ombatse came at night and started exchanging fire with the security men,” he lamented.

    He said the security agents were forced to withdraw from the town on account of the attack by Ombatse.

     

    Said he: “The security men were forced to withdraw that same night and leave the community to their fate, as everybody was on his own.

    “The next morning, Ombatse militias, about 4,500, surrounded our community and started killing every soul they found.”

    On how to prevent future attacks, the community suggested that “Ombatse, if found guilty of their act, should be arrested and convicted for genocide.”

    The community regretted that previous commissions of inquiry in the state did not achieve the desired result as the state government failed to implement their recommendations.

    The community said: “We further submit that this exercise will not be one in futility like the previous ones. We have come to equity with clean hands and with a plethora of evidence that we have availed the judicial commission and therefore, it is our expectation that government should reciprocate our peaceful nature and give our people a semblance of hope that Nasarawa State can still engender peace and tranquility.”

     

  • How Ombatse killed my seven-year-old son, by witness

    The Commission of Enquiry probing the killing of security personnel in Nasarawa State was yesterday told how members of the Ombatse group allegedly killed a seven-year-old boy.

    A witness, who was called by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Socio-Cultural Association, Alhaji Sule Mohammed Lawal, spoke on the incident when he was led in evidence by the association’s counsel, Abubakar Abubakar Dogara.

    Lawal said the attack took place around 1am in January at his home at Ruwan Doma in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

    The 40-year-old witness said he passed out after receiving severe machete cuts on his head, hands, legs and back, allegedly from Ombatse members.

    Lawal, who spoke through the panel’s interpreter, said he regained consciousness in the hospital at Keffi the next day.

    He said only one of his three sons and his wives escaped the attack while the other received machete cuts.

    The herdsman said 45 of his cows were also killed by the invaders.

    Lawal said: “I was lying down inside my house in Ruwan Doma at Bassa in Agwada Development Area when a boy raised my mosquito net around 1am. The boy’s name is Maye; he is from the Eggon tribe. I asked him: ‘Why are you here at this time?’ He ran away.

    “I recognised Maye because I was not asleep when he raised my sleeping mosquito net. I then stood up and ran towards my cows. When I got there, I saw people killing my cows with machetes. I ran back to the house and woke my wives and told them to run for their safety.

    “I then took my three male children on my motorcycle and attempted to move but Maye and the other boys stopped me.

    “Then I asked Maye: ‘Are you with them too?’ They started cutting me with their machetes and I fell down. They cut my head, hands, legs and all over my body.

    “One of my children, Salihu, was killed on the spot. He was seven years old. His brother, Saleh, who is 10 years old, was also cut in several places.”

    The witness became overwhelmed with emotions inside the witness box as he presented Saleh to the commission for identification.

    Both Lawal and Saleh removed their clothes and showed their scars to the panel members.

    Saleh had a deep horizontal scar on his right cheek and his right hand was twisted.

    Besides Lawal, other people at the panel shed tears.

    Lawal added: “I was taken to a hospital in Keffi, where I regained consciousness the next day.

    “It was my neighbours from Bassa who buried my son. I did not see his body. My wives and one of my sons escaped the attack. I also lost 45 cows to the attackers.”

    Another witness, Saleh Wakili, told the panel yesterday how the Ombatse group allegedly arrested and killed five of his cousins.

    Wakili, a Fulani herdsman, said: “They first arrested my cousin and tied him to the tree. Later, they arrested four of my cousins. When they came towards me, I drew my machete. They cleared the way for me, and I ran away.

    “When an Inspector of Police from Barkin Abdullahi (BAD) police outpost accompanied me to the spot of the incident, we saw that they had slaughtered my cousins, moved the bodies into the bush and covered them with straws and grasses.

    “We brought the bodies to the Specialist Hospital in Lafia. They were later released to us for burial.”

    Governor Tanko al-Makura constituted the panel following the killing of over 50 policemen and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) in an ambush allegedly by members of the Ombatse Group in Lakyo village, on May 7.

  • Nasarawa killings: Panel accuses Ombatse lawyers of contempt

    •NBA chief apologises to panel
    •We didn’t envisage this charade, says lawyer

    The Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the killing of security personnel in Nasarawa State, Justice Joseph Fola Gbadeyan (rtd), yesterday said the withdrawal of some lawyers from the proceedings of the panel is “contemptuous”.

    Seven lawyers, representing various Eggon communities, last week, announced their boycott of the commission’s sittings.

    The lawyers accused the commission of bias and alleged irregularities in the conduct of proceedings.

    But the Nasarawa State Government, through its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lagi Innocent, said the boycott would not affect the work of the commission.

    Some of the lawyers, who announced their withdrawal from the panel, include Chief Ayas Bako Aya, appearing with Aliyu Anzewu and representing the District Head of Bassa; Chief Joshua Daudu and Mr Ovye John, representing Eggon Communities in Barkin Abdullahi (BAD) and Randa.

    Others are: Mr Anthony Jatau, representing the Ward Head of Eggon in Arutu village of Doma Local Government Area; Mr Ayuwulu Baba Ayuwulu, representing Eggon community, Kadarkoc in Keana Keana Local Government Area; Mr Gambo P. Assiku, representing Eggon Cultural Development Association (ECDA) in Bassa Zarengi; and Mr Harry Dan Anyuanbaga, representing Mada community of Bassa in Kokona Local Government Area.

    Governor Tanko al-Makura constituted the panel, following the killing of over 50 policemen and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) allegedly in an ambush by members of the Ombatse Militia Group (OMG) in Lakyo village, on May 7.

    The counsel, who filed formal applications to withdraw their memoranda, last Friday, failed to show up before the panel yesterday to defend their actions.

    Justice Gbadeyan struck out the applications following the absence of the lawyers at the panel when the cases were called.

    He said the memoranda would be heard at the appropriate time, even though the authors and their counsel have abandoned them.

    The panel chairman said the lawyers “did not follow due process” in withdrawing their appearance.

    Justice Gbadeyan said: “When we are faced with serious business that has affected the lives of so many humans beings, they (lawyers) are only interested in stalling the entire proceedings.”

    The commission’s chairman told the Chairman of the Lafia Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Eric Irehovbude, that he was disappointed with the conduct of the counsel.

    Irehovbude apologised to the commission on the conduct of his colleagues.

    He said: “I have received complaints from some of our colleagues that some of our members appearing before this commission have been a bit unruly. I want to, on behalf of the Bar, apologise for any such misconduct to this commission. I’m happy that, as I was informed, some senior colleagues have apologised to the commission. But I felt a sense of responsibility to come personally and apologise to your Lordship.

    “I will like to add that if the misconduct is such that it can be referred to the Disciplinary Committee of the Bar, we will support it, as we won’t tolerate anything that will bring the profession to disrepute.”

    The Legal Adviser to Ombatse Group, Mr Zachary Zamani Alumaga, told The Nation that the lawyers representing Ombatse withdrew because they lost confidence in the commission.

    He alleged that the commission was constituted to persecute the Ombatse group.

    Alumaga said: “We said it from day one that the commission, if anything, is not properly constituted to do the job of an enquiry stipulated by law. The commission is not a court; it has no right to administer penal sanctions.

    “It is only a fact-finding mission, so that its recommendations could be made to the appropriate quarters upon which they may decide. This appropriate quarter is the government.

    “But because this commission has come up with a focused mind to prepare a First Information Report (FIR) and send us to jail, it is overzealous. I raised the issue of its lack of jurisdiction to that effect.

    “Now that we have understood its antics, we decided to pull out. If they are still so desirous of convicting us because they have gone beyond intimidation now, then they should go ahead and convict the lawyers for their so-called contempt.

    “It is unheard of that somebody makes himself available to the court and then says he is withdrawing in writing. Yet, you say the person must come before you. What do you want to do with him?

    “Let me repeat this once again: we are not afraid of justice. If we are found wanting, we will be grateful for all the consequence that will follow. This charade is not what we envisaged, as the justice of this case.

    “Security operatives have died and the world wants to know what happened. But all these booby traps set for us by the government and the commission will not allow for justice at the end of the tunnel.”