Ten policemen who survived Tuesday’s
onslaught from the Ombatse militia group in Nasarawa State have attributed
their survival to luck.
onslaught from the Ombatse militia group in Nasarawa State have attributed
their survival to luck.
Narrating their escape, one of the
police officers who spoke on behalf of nine other survivors (names withheld)
said their survival was only by the grace of God as they were outnumbered and
overpowered by the militiamen. He also disclosed that the militiamen had prior
knowledge of their coming and laid siege on the narrow road leading to the
village, Alakyo, where they were supposed to effect the arrest of their leader
and recover arms said to be in his possession.
police officers who spoke on behalf of nine other survivors (names withheld)
said their survival was only by the grace of God as they were outnumbered and
overpowered by the militiamen. He also disclosed that the militiamen had prior
knowledge of their coming and laid siege on the narrow road leading to the
village, Alakyo, where they were supposed to effect the arrest of their leader
and recover arms said to be in his possession.
He said, “The road is narrow and they
allowed us into their midst before opening fire on us at close range.” Efforts
to return fire and scare them into hiding ware futile as bullets were not
penetrating them, he said.
allowed us into their midst before opening fire on us at close range.” Efforts
to return fire and scare them into hiding ware futile as bullets were not
penetrating them, he said.
The police officer, who spoke
exclusively to LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity, added that the militiamen,
dressed in black shirts and caps, kept approaching amidst heavy gunfire, which
forced their Hilux van, the last van on the convoy, to turn back. “Due to the
nature of the road and ensuing gun duel, our men could not turn back and 10 of
us in our van were able to manoeuvre our way out but not without suffering
bullet wounds,” he said.
exclusively to LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity, added that the militiamen,
dressed in black shirts and caps, kept approaching amidst heavy gunfire, which
forced their Hilux van, the last van on the convoy, to turn back. “Due to the
nature of the road and ensuing gun duel, our men could not turn back and 10 of
us in our van were able to manoeuvre our way out but not without suffering
bullet wounds,” he said.
The recuperating officer added that the
driver of their van was shot on the leg but, luckily enough, one of them with
him in front could drive and immediately took over. Many of the officers took
to the bush but hugely outnumbered by the militiamen who knew the terrain
better, they were pursued and killed.
“As soon as they killed an officer, his rifle was taken off him.”
driver of their van was shot on the leg but, luckily enough, one of them with
him in front could drive and immediately took over. Many of the officers took
to the bush but hugely outnumbered by the militiamen who knew the terrain
better, they were pursued and killed.
“As soon as they killed an officer, his rifle was taken off him.”
Meanwhile, the pervading atmosphere in
Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, is that of fear, anxiety and hope as the
families of the slain policemen converged on the Dalhatu Araf Specialist
Hospital (DASH) to identify their loved ones most of whom had been burnt beyond
recognition.
Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, is that of fear, anxiety and hope as the
families of the slain policemen converged on the Dalhatu Araf Specialist
Hospital (DASH) to identify their loved ones most of whom had been burnt beyond
recognition.
Also speaking on condition of anonymity,
an official of the Red Cross Society, who went to evacuate the remains of the
victims, said the militiamen, who gave the condition that no armed security
officer should accompany the Red Cross officials, were still keeping close
guard in the village, seized their phones on entry and returned them after the
evacuation.
an official of the Red Cross Society, who went to evacuate the remains of the
victims, said the militiamen, who gave the condition that no armed security
officer should accompany the Red Cross officials, were still keeping close
guard in the village, seized their phones on entry and returned them after the
evacuation.
He, however, noted that the villagers
were going about their businesses, saying they did not know those who carried
out the dastardly act since they were not members of their community. He
further claimed that the slain police officers were gathered in heaps and set
ablaze by the militiamen.
were going about their businesses, saying they did not know those who carried
out the dastardly act since they were not members of their community. He
further claimed that the slain police officers were gathered in heaps and set
ablaze by the militiamen.
Source: Leadership
