Cult Killings: Nasarawa lawmakers call for State of Emergency
By Busolami Idowu
The Nasarawa House of Assembly has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the southern senatorial district due to the renewed clashes in the state which has led to loss of life and destruction
The Assembly further resolved to invite Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the director of the Department of State Security, the police commissioner and commandant of the of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to appear before it at an executive session to give reasons why breakdown of security has continued unabated.
The house of Assembly reportedly reached the conclusion at its plenary session, members condemned the attacks and called the attack on the Adabu, Obi and Assakio Alago communities of the state by the Ombatse militia an out declearation of war.
The Assembly also called on youths to desist from being used by politicians in fighting for their personal political goals by inciting ethnic sentiments, even as it condoled with all those who lost their loved ones to the crisis. It also chided the state government for embarking on local government elections while the state was on fire, saying the government must get its priority right by restoring peace and security before talking of local polls
Members of the Assembly were unanimous in condemning the federal government “under whose care all the security apparatus” inability to restore public confidence in its ability to guarantee safety of life and property, especially given the silence that trailed the killing of 73 security operatives at Alakyo village on May 7, 2013, and the inability to bring to justice those who are believed to be members of the proscribed Ombatse group who continue to roam the street freely.
In his submission, the member representing Udegye/Loko constituency and chairman, House Committee on Information and Security, Hon. Mohammed Baba Ibaku, regretted that Nasarawa has become the “home of solid crisis” and called for a state of emergency to be declared in the southern senatorial district of the state so as to find a lasting solution to this lingering crisis. He also chided the first civilian governor of the state, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, for absolving Governor Al-Makura of any blame because he does not control the military, police or civil defence corps.
Hon. Francis Orogu, representing Keana constituency, blamed laxity on the part of the security operatives as responsible for the magnitude of the destruction, saying there had been rumours of possible uprising since Thursday morning but no machinery was put in place to avert the crisis. He warned that the carnage should not be seen as an Alago problem alone but a threat to the peaceful coexistence and security of the entire state, saying except it is treated collectively no one shall be safe from this militant group.
