Two lawmakers from Eggon community in Nasarawa State, Solomon Ewuga, a member of the Senate and Joseph Kigbu, a member of the House of Representatives have been indicted as financiers of the outlawed Ombatse Group said to have killed about 534 people at Alakyo Village in the state in May 2103.
Justice Fola Gbadeyan, Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate the mass killing of security operatives and other people recently submitted his report to Governor Tanko Al-makura.
According to the excerpts of the report obtained by Prompt News Online, the two lawmakers and others have been recommended for further investigation and prosecution to serve as deterrent to others.
The Commission submits as follows:
The Ombatse meets every Saturday which is the group’s worship day and it is made up of Christians, Muslims and traditional worshipers who must be males of Eggon extraction from the ages of 18 years upwards;
Their recruitment process is both persuasive and coercive and it is directed only at Eggon male youth of 18 years and above. Forced initiation is allegedly known as part of its coercive strategies;
The group engages in the use of sophisticated weapons such as AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, sub-machine guns alongside traditional lethal weapons such as dane guns, cartridges, poisoned cutlasses, knives, clubs etc;
They have a regalia or uniform which is in the guise of black and red admixture attire (but mostly black) and also wear black hand woven native caps with charms and rings on all fingers. They walk bare-footed;
That seventy-four (74) law enforcement and security personnel, comprising sixty-four (64) members of the Nigeria Police Force and ten (10) men of the Department of the State Services were actually killed by the Ombatse militia group at Alakyo Village on 7th May, 2013.
That Ombatse members converged on Alakyo from different Eggon communities across the State to engage in the fatal ambush that led to the death of the officers and men in question.
That it was not the act of God or any spiritual force that caused the death of the law-enforcement and security officials as it is in evidence that fire-arms, cudgel, cutlasses and other lethal weapons were used by the Ombatse members in killing and injuring the affected personnel who were on lawful duty at Alakyo on 7th May, 2013.
Subsequently, their vehicles and some of their corpses were burnt by the same suspected members of the Ombatse militia group who had acted in concert with one another.
Evidence before the Commission as particularly revealed by MW40, CW86 and CW87 of the
Nigerian Police respectively who escaped alive from the ambush.
That the Ombatse group, has been deeply involved in all communal clashes in the state. They are the most virulent ethnic militia. There is a definite political dimension to Ombatse militancy.
Due to lax enforcement of the law by the relevant component units of the State’s criminal justice system, namely, the law enforcement agencies (especially the police), the Ministry of Justice and the Courts, obvious perpetrators of violence have been left unencumbered and emboldened to remain what they are.
The Federal Government unconcern over the Alakyo killings even when its agents were the victims has not helped in the containment of violence in the State.
The Federal Government’s attitude has given room for tendentious interpretations (largely of a political nature).
There is only an issue for determination here.
Why, despite of its proscription via Legal Notice No. 4 of 2012, the Ombatse has continued its activities, including the breach of peace.
Findings:
Ombatse Militia has, indeed, continued its activities despite its proscription;
From credible evidence before the Commission, the Ombatse phenomenon was not a deity nor a cultural festival or practice of the Eggons. But the said phenomenon became noticeable only in recent times.
However, the group has been hijacked by certain political figures within the Eggon nation to champion their cause and interests (as confirmed by the Department of State Services in Exhibit M21).
The group became well known in 2012 as a militia. The involvement of political forces in the Ombatse has given it vitality and relevance of some sort as to enable it proceed with its activities despite its proscription.
There is unrestricted illegal inflow of fire-arms and ammunition, a state of affairs which has enabled the Ombatse to continue with its militancy and/or armed activities.
The use of GSM telephony, the use of motor bike, effective social networking have aided the mobilizational capacity of the Ombatse thereby accounting for the co-coordinative nature of the group, thus, enabling it to continue with its armed violence.
That the Ombatse has been in existence for over hundred (100) years, but has in recent times (particularly n 2012 to date) been intruded upon and hijacked by political forces and interests, a state of affairs that has transformed it into a cult and ethnic militia portraying insurgency and genocidal tendencies.
That the untoward activities of the Ombatse became more pronounced and intense since December, 2011 to date.
Founders/Officials:
Baba Ala Agu (Baba Alakyo)- Chief Priest
Dogo Anda- Spiritual Leader
Haruna Musa Zico- Chairman
Zubura Musa Akwashiki- Secretary
David Asilika- PRO
Wakili Esheba- Welfare Officer
Amos Agbu Otsa- Discipline Officer
Barr. Z. Z. Allumaga- Legal Adviser
Mohammed L. Agu- Patron
Communities Aiding/Sponsoring/Abetting Ombatse Activities:
Alakyo Village, Lafia LGA
Sabon Gida Iggah, N/Eggon, LGA.
Bakin Kogi, N/Eggon, LGA
Angwan Abusa, N/Eggon, LGA
The Commission has a very high and reasonable suspicion that the following under listed persons are the financiers, promoters and supporters of the outlawed Ombatse. There is the need for further investigations on their precise role in the affairs of the Ombatse.
Detailed recommendations for certain legal measures to be adopted in relation to the underlisted persons will be made in our recommendation else where in this report. The relevant list is thus:
Senator Solomon Sunday Akku Ewuga
Hon.Haruna Joseph Kigbu
Hon. Nathaniel Agyo Mesa
Alhaji Saleh Angulu (Village Head of Agyaragu) and 2 others.
Yohanna Labaran, Manager, Ambula Transport, Agyaragu
Ahijo (Chara) Eggon Local Musician
The Various Lists of names referred to in the Commission’s findings above are based on the various memoranda and oral testimonies (including those of the Police and DSS) submitted and made before the Commission;
There are five (5) recommendations here as thus:
The Commission recommends the immediate prosecution of the persons mentioned on the various lists of names under paragragh iv of our findings under this Term of Reference.
We recommend in respect with our findings above that the relevant law enforcement and security agencies together with the Special Investigation and Prosecution Panel (severally recommended in this report) be formally and emphatically requested by the Nasarawa State Government to subject the listed persons to further and thorough investigations with a view to determining their precise role as possible financiers, sponsors, promoters and supporters of the outlawed Ombatse in order to ascertain their involvement and extent of their possible financial and other forms of material support to the Ombatse.
The Commission notes with deep regret the unfortunate roles played by the Eggon Traditional Council and its elders in the tacit support of the activities of the outlawed Ombatse group. Ordinarily, the Commission would have recommended the outright sanction of the said Council.
However, the Commission strongly recommends the formal admonition and reprimand of the Council and its elders in the interim, for their moral failure to call the Ombatse and such affiliated Eggon groups to order when they exceeded the bounds of reason;
Government accepts and directs the State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and, the Office of Secretary to the State Government to take appropriate action as recommended above.
