The Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police – Abayomi Akeremale, yesterday paraded two of his men who allegedly leaked information to the dreaded Ombatse cult group before the state Governor – Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
Information Nigeria reports that scores of policemen and other security officers were killed in an ambush at Alakyo village by members of the ethnic militia in what has been described as one of the bloodiest and most daring attack on Nigeria’s security agents in recent times. Four policemen are still believed to be held by the cultists, according to Al-Makura.
The two police corporals were paraded for allegedly tipping off the cult members who are of Eggon origin.
Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and heads of the security forces including the state police command, the State Security Service (SSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) said the ill-fated operation which was led by an Assistant Police Commissioner, late Mommoh Mohammed, was properly primed for success with all safety measures put in place to avoid casualties but the plans fell apart as information was leaked to Ombatse.
“Every arrangement for their (security operatives) safety was made. The most unfortunate thing that happened was the betrayal within them,” Governor Al-Makura said yesterday in Government House, when he received widows and children as well as other relatives of the slain security operatives who thronged his office in their numbers to protest the killing of their spouses and relatives.
“This is what betrayal has caused to not only you, but the rest of the nation,” Al-Makura told the widows, assuring that “the blood of the heroes will not go in vain.”
Al-Makura also said the State Security Council was aware that four security personnel who were part of the operation are still being held by Ombatse members in a hideout, but vowed that everything was being done to get them back alive.
“The compounding issue is that the place is still insecure. It is not to say we can’t go there. We are trying to get anyone still alive there. We heard up to four men are still being held, but the police are working hard to free them,” he said.
