NASARAWA BLOODBATH: HOW WE SURVIVED AMBUSH BY MILITIAMEN - SURVIVORS
Ten policemen who survived Tuesday’s 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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Source: Leadership
Ten policemen who survived Tuesday’s 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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Source: Leadership
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Source: Leadership
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