We Didn’t Kill Police, SSS Operatives – Ombatse

The Eggon militia group, Ombatse, has denied allegations that it was behind the gruesome massacre of about 74 security operatives in Alakyo village, outskirts of Lafia in Nasarawa State on May 7. The group has also charged the authorities to go after perpetrators of the dastardly act. Zamani Zachary Allumaga, who is the group’s legal adviser made this known while testifying before the judicial panel of inquiry into the killing of officers and men of the Nigeria Police and State Security Service (SSS) set up by the state government. Mr. Allumaga rather told the panel that over 229 Eggon people were killed across the state before the May 7 Alakyo incident and accused the state government of failing in its responsibility to protect lives and property, claiming that the incident led to the invasion of Eggon settlements. The legal adviser said his group abhors violence, insisting that the people are peaceful. According to Mr. Allumaga, the group welcomed the setting up of the panel and urged it to do a good job. “We in Ombatse, though we had our initial apprehension, we are grateful to God for directing the governor to set up this commission of inquiry. “The two previous commissions of inquiry set up did not find solutions to the problems of the Ombatse group, but we have fate that this commission will do a good job”, he said. -Daily Trust