How 23 policemen were killed in Nasarawa – Musa

Second Republic governor of Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa, has described how a group of traditional worshippers, Ombatse Militia, killed 23 policemen in Alakyo Village, Nasarawa State last Wednesday.

He said there had been a recurring conflict between worshippers of a shrine, Muslims and Christians in the community.

Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, was in Abuja on Wednesday to brief the Presidency on the activities of the cult group, which, according to him, was proscribed in January over its alleged nefarious activities.

Musa, in an interview with our correspondent on Friday, said the traditionalists had often intimidated members of other faiths. He added that the policemen were killed in an attempt to arrest the tense situation.

He said, “I don’t know if you have studied the report of the incident in Nasarawa State. Can you imagine such messy destruction organised by a group of idol worshippers? Can you imagine that they beat the police on this? The whole thing was over a shrine.

“The police heard a report about their activities particularly that they were forcing Muslims and Christians to swear by their deity.”

Musa, the national chairman of Congress of Nigeria Political Parties, said the police consequently mounted a surveillance on the area” to investigate the activities of members of the cult group.

The elder statesman noted that the mission became impossible when the traditionalists learnt they were being monitored.

“Within a short time, the worshippers were able to surround the policemen and killed 23 (of them) immediately,” Musa added.

He said the crime might have a political undertone, as such organised crimes could have been possible with the aid of the “rich and powerful” in the area.

Al-Makura, during his visit to Vice-President Namadi Sambo, had said, “Just yesterday (Wednesday), we had a very bitter security problem that has caused the death of some security officers in the state.

“Two weeks ago, we discovered a certain militia group holding arms and carrying out cult activities in the state. Since January, this thing has not abated and in the past two weeks, it took a total different dimension.

“They have been going from one place to another, including churches and asking people from that particular ethnic group to come and take portions that are meant to empower them.

“As security operatives were approaching the shrine, unknown to them that ambush had been laid, these people attacked them, resulting in the death of more than 20 policemen.”