Nasarawa orders security operatives to deal with groups formenting trouble

The Nasarawa State Government on Sunday announced that it had taken measures to restore lasting peace to all parts of the state.
The Deputy Governor, Dameshi Barau-Luka, made the disclosure in a state broadcast in Lafia, the state capital.
Barau-Luka said the broadcast followed the eruption of fresh violence in Obi and Assakio towns and their environs on September 13.
The Deputy Governor said that government would not fold its harms and watch people unleash terror on its “innocent” citizens.
He said: “Government wishes to state categorically that it will not stand by and watch heartless criminals in our state unleash a reign of terror on innocent citizens of the state.
“We want to assure members of the general public that the state government has taken necessary measures to bring the matter under control.”
Barau-Luka, who read the statewide broadcast on behalf of Governor Tanko Al-Makura, said security operatives had already been deployed to the affected areas to maintain law and order.
According to him, the law enforcement agents will deal decisively with any individual or group caught fomenting trouble or causing mischief.
He decried the unprovoked attack by some Eggon youths suspected to be members of the outlawed Ombatse cult on the innocent people of Adabu, parts of Obi and Assakio towns.
The broadcast reads further: “The attack on these people is to say the least, barbaric, it is condemnable and an affront on the security of lives and properties of the people.
“Government condemns in its entirety the unwarranted attack unleashed on Obi Community, and, indeed, the state by this banned militia group.
“We wish to call on those involved in the breach of peace to stop the mayhem forthwith.
“I, therefore, wish to advise members of the public to be calm and go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation.
“We all must, however, shun rumour mongering and spreading of false information that is capable of exacerbating this condemnable incident.”
The deputy governor said the government expresses its sympathy to all those affected by the dastardly act, and appealed to the people of the state to be their brothers keepers.
“We have no other state to call our own, lest we forget, peace is priceless, let us keep it,” he said.