Papable fear is currently trailing the people of Nasarawa State over the emergence of a splinter Ombatse militia group under the name of ‘New Ombatse’.

The Ombatse militia group was alleged to be responsible for serial attacks on communities in recent times in some parts of the state, including the killing of over 70 security operatives in an ambush at Alakyo village of Lafia Local Government Area of the state in 2013.

Representative of the Nasarawa-Eggon East constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mohammed Muluku revealed the emergence of the group yesterday at the floor of the Assembly.

He said that as a true son of Eggon land, he was worried by the emergence of the new group which he said was out to cause yet another crisis in the state, and urged the House and security agencies in the state to do something urgently before the group throws the state into another state of chaos.

He told the House that he and other stakeholders had met with a view to taking necessary steps against the group, noting that it was not out for the interest of the Eggon people but for selfish reasons, just as he maintained that the people could not afford a repeat of the unfortunate crisis that occurred in the state in recent past.

Contributing, the deputy speaker of the House, Godiya Akwashiki, who is also an Eggon man, condemned the alleged move by the group to truncate the relative peace being enjoyed in the state, describing it as a group of bad elements within the Eggon nation.

He called on security agencies in the state to be more proactive in dealing with the situation.

Meanwhile, the State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has warned troublemakers to steer clear of the state or be ready to face the wrath of his administration.

Governor Al-Makura, who handed down the warning at the weekend when he paid a courtesy call on the paramount ruler of Toni chiefdom, Sylvester Ay, in his palace at Garaku, headquarters of Kokona Local Government Area of the state, maintained that his administration would deal decisively with any individual or group that threatened the peace of the state.

He said that his administration would no longer watch few individuals or groups truncate the peace of the state, saying the state was tired of crises and would do everything possible to contain any group that causes trouble.

Al-Makura said government had started receiving some unpleasant security information and would not hesitate to deal with anybody, no matter how highly placed, and bring him down to face the law.

The governor, who urged the people to be patient with one another, pledged to support any community that supports government initiatives for peace and development. (Nigerian Pilot)

•Photo shows Governor Al-Makura.

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