By Rabiu Doma, Nasarawa
The ex-coordinator cum legal Adviser to Eggon, Zachariah Alumaga has disclosed that Ombatse militia is prepared to declare a cease fire pending the outcome of the ongoing Judicial Commission of Inquiry set-up by the Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to proffer lasting solutions to the ongoing attacks between the Eggon group and unknown gunmen believed to be attached to the State government.
Barrister Alumaga, a leader of the proscribed group indicated that only the outcome of the Judicial Commission would determine their next line of action. He hinted this while giving testimony on why the incessant attacks had continued unabated. He stated that the Eggon people were marginalized, balkanized and alienated by both past regime of Governor Abdullahi Adamu (1999-2007) and the incumbent All Progressive Change (APC) regime of Governor Al-Makura.
Zachariah Alumaga berated both Governors Abdullahi Adamu and Umaru Tanko Al-Makura for their lackadaisical attitude towards Eggon people. In his words, “the present Government also ignited the crisis”.
According to him, “The successive regime under Senator Abdullahi Adamu introduced a draconian policy ‘employment policy’ with sole motive to hunt Eggons by saying all Eggons civil servants should go back to their Local Government of origin. This policy affected the Eggons”.
‘What I’m asking this commission is what the remote cause of this mayhem was? The implementation of that policy has led to a sixteen year legal battle which ended at the Supreme Court. The apex court ruled in our favor describing the secret memo of the then regime as unconstitutional”.
Zachariah Alumaga also faulted Governor Al-Makura over Assakio mayhem of last year. The legal Adviser added that Al-Makura should go ahead and release Assakio white paper which stated that Eggons are not Indigenes of Assakio.
“The invasion of our shrine by armed soldiers at Alogani hills also fueled the crisis”.
He further stated that some ethnic nationalities change their names but nobody complains. He said Agwai change their name to Fulani, Arago change to Alago, Afo change to Ahu while he said Munci change their name to Tiv in the state.
247ureports gathered that no bloodshed was experienced during name change. He attested that the emergence of Ombatse followed the alienation Eggon nation experienced in the hands of other tribes.
He listed some of the grievances of Eggons to include exclusion from the relief material given to displaced Eggons in the crisis prone.
The Governor succeeded in condoling most of the affected communities but mostly populated by Gwandara and other ethnic groups. The Governor visited Yelwan Bassa,Bassa in Kokona Local Government and Ruwan Doma in Doma Local Government – other crisis ravaged communities visited were Kwandare,Iga community,Assakio,Agyaragu,Ekye,Yelwa Ediya,Keana,Obi,Kadarko between last year and this year.
Alugama said the Governor showed no concerned over the attack meted on over 200 Eggon communities – that over 249 Eggons were killed by hired Fulani mercenaries that were harbored at the Governors country home of Kwandare.
While answering questions on who the financiers of Ombatse were – Zachariah Alumaga fingered Governor Al-Makura as one of the sponsors.
“Governor Al-Makura knows who Ombatse is. He should fish them out. I remember the last time we, the executive of Ombatse attended a peace meeting that lasted for two hours – the Governor gave N2m, N1m each to Ombatse and Eggon Cultural Development Association (ECDA). This is the financing I’m talking about”, said the controversial Alumaga.
He further gave a testimony that all Eggons are members of Ombatse – adding that an Eggon child from 18 years to death is able to be a member – that both Christians, Muslims and free-thinkers are free to converge at their worship place (shrine) headed by a chief priest.
During cross examination by the attorney General and commissioner of Justice, Innocent Lagi on who are responsible on the maiming, killings and confiscation of weapon and operational vehicle of Joint Task Force. Alumaga stated that the slain security agents were murdered by the gods of Ombatse.
