The recent violence in Adabu, Obi and Assakio
Alago communities of Adamawa State, caused by the Ombatse cult, peaked
yesterday with the State House of Assembly calling for the declaration
of emergency in the Southern Senatorial District of the state. The
lawmakers also resolved to invite Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the
Director of the Department of State Security, the Police Commissioner
and Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to appear
before it at an executive session to give reasons why insecurity has
heightened in the state.
This was after the lawmakers described as an all-out war, the assault by the group, which led to the death of at least 50 people, majorly women and children as well as destruction of property worth millions of naira.
The carnage has also left in its wake over 40,000 displaced residents of the affected area, according to the Executive Secretary of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency, NASEMA, Dr Abdullahi Agbo, while the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has confirmed the evacuation of corps members serving in the areas.
This is not the first time residents of the state would be heartlessly killed by those the victims have lived with for a very long time and even considered their brothers. On 7 May this year, Ombatse group-sponsored violence erupted in Alakyo village of the state resulting in the death of 73 security operatives
Between 30 May and 1 June, 2012, the cult killed 15 people in an attack on Assakio community; on 21 November, 2012, the cult attacked Agyaragu community, killing nine people and on 17 November, 2012, the cult mounted illegal road blocks and attacked motorists and commuters, injuring many including soldiers and other security agents.
It is unfortunate that despite these attacks, those who are believed to be members of the Ombatse group, proscribed by the state government, have continued to roam the communities undisturbed. It is generally believed that they are now encouraged to carry out more attacks on people and properties because leaders and members of the cult have been treated with kid-gloves by the Federal Government.
The report of a panel set up to investigate the activities of the militia is left gathering dust. Why is the Federal Government is foot-dragging concerning the implementation of the report? Does the government want the situation to escalate out of control before taking emergency decisions like in the case of the Boko Haram insurgency?
President Goodluck Jonathan must show Nigerians that he is equal to the task by bringing all those involved with the deadly cult to justice.
Source: PM News
This was after the lawmakers described as an all-out war, the assault by the group, which led to the death of at least 50 people, majorly women and children as well as destruction of property worth millions of naira.
The carnage has also left in its wake over 40,000 displaced residents of the affected area, according to the Executive Secretary of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency, NASEMA, Dr Abdullahi Agbo, while the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has confirmed the evacuation of corps members serving in the areas.
This is not the first time residents of the state would be heartlessly killed by those the victims have lived with for a very long time and even considered their brothers. On 7 May this year, Ombatse group-sponsored violence erupted in Alakyo village of the state resulting in the death of 73 security operatives
Between 30 May and 1 June, 2012, the cult killed 15 people in an attack on Assakio community; on 21 November, 2012, the cult attacked Agyaragu community, killing nine people and on 17 November, 2012, the cult mounted illegal road blocks and attacked motorists and commuters, injuring many including soldiers and other security agents.
It is unfortunate that despite these attacks, those who are believed to be members of the Ombatse group, proscribed by the state government, have continued to roam the communities undisturbed. It is generally believed that they are now encouraged to carry out more attacks on people and properties because leaders and members of the cult have been treated with kid-gloves by the Federal Government.
The report of a panel set up to investigate the activities of the militia is left gathering dust. Why is the Federal Government is foot-dragging concerning the implementation of the report? Does the government want the situation to escalate out of control before taking emergency decisions like in the case of the Boko Haram insurgency?
President Goodluck Jonathan must show Nigerians that he is equal to the task by bringing all those involved with the deadly cult to justice.
Source: PM News
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