By Rabiu Doma, Nasarawa
–
Nasarawa state Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has open the
can of worms on the lingering issues surrounding those behind Ombatse group
insurgency in the state, The state gave the disclosure during an interactive
session with members of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Alakyo killings
of member of the Joint Task Force consisting of Mobile Police, Police,SSS ,DSS
and CID.
The Governor when asked by the secretary of the commission, Funsho Lawal to expatiate on an
interview granted to Journalist and published in Sunday Tribune of 14/7/2013 – Governor Al-Makura was quoted saying he knows those behind the Ombatse militia.
“Your Excellency I will like you to expatiate on your
interview of 14/7/2013 fingering Eggon National Assembly members as those
behind the wanton killings, sacking and displacing communities, who are these
politicians of Eggon extraction?
Governor Almakura responded that the frequency and dimension the
crisis is unfolding and comment from such quarters are enough evidence to
prove the involvement of such politicians.
The Governor when asked by the counsel on when did he know that Ombatse existed, He responded that
he knew of Ombatse in November last year when there was a grid-lock along
Nasarawa Eggon highway “that was where I
come face to face with executive and members of Ombatse”.
He also debunked having any formal interaction with the
spiritual leader of Ombatse, Baba Alakyo – when asked about the existence
of bad eggs in his cabinet before its dissolution on the leakage of the visit
of security agents to Alakyo, he noted that generally saboteur will not be
ruled out, “but no one came to me and told me about people in the Government sabotaging
our effort”, He said.
Governor Almakura went further to deny that a security operative
in the Alakyo operation was arrested with emblem of Ombatse in his operational vehicle –
saying that “as of this time we lack empirical evidence to prove it”.
Regarding the formal arrangement he had with the monarch of Nasarawa Eggon, Bala Angbazo, the governor was defensive. He denied any formal agreement. Rather he stated that he invited the two Eggon Associations, Eggon Cultural Development Association (ECDA) and Ombatse to his home not the Government House as earlier testified by Zakari Alumaga. He debunked financing and/or sponsorship of the group – “N1m was given to ECDA and Ombatse to settle transport fare and drinks but not supporting them
with N2m”.
During cross examination [by counsels to Assakio,Ana Lafia and Iga communities], the Governor revealed that the state security council approved Alakyo operation.
When asked whether he ever found out how Eggon elders were able to have early information about the deployment of security agents to Alakyo? He responded “it baffled me that the operation was leaked, – an investigation probe was put in place”.
He denied ordering security agents to bring the head of Baba Alakyo. But added that Ombatse militia group hired fulani mercenaries to killed Eggons.
