Nasarawa State Police Command said it had uncovered plans by the resurgent Ombatse militant group to attack Assakio in Lafia and Dandere in Obi Local Government Areas of the state.

The Ombatse militant group, which was proscribed and indicted by the Justice Joseph Gbadeyan-led Judicial Commission of Enquiry for being responsible for the killing of about 70 security operatives who were on a lawful duty at Alakyo village on May 7, 2013, were also responsible for the communal crises that claimed several lives and property in the state.

Nasarawa State Police Commissioner, Abubakar Sadiq Bello revealed this during a security meeting held with the Aren Eggon, HRH Bala Abene Angbazu, at his palace in Nasarawa Eggon.

CP Bello said that the Ombatse militants had perfected plans to simultaneously attack Dandere and Assakio communities on Saturday, August 13, 2016.

Consequently, he told the Aren Eggon that he was in his palace to seek for his royal support towards nipping the envisaged skirmishes in the bud.

The commissioner said: “I am here in your palace to seek for your royal support to nip the planned attacks on Dandere and Assakio villages in the bud and to also bring to your attention that some Eggon youths are planning to reintroduce Ombatse militia in the state.”

In his response, the Aren Eggon pledged his unflinching support to the police in order to ensure the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the state.

Consequently, the paramount ruler detailed all chiefs and elders of the Eggon nation to ensure that all their subjects within their jurisdictions were alerted and closely monitored to ensure Ombatse was not allowed to regroup or carry out any attack.

The paramount ruler, however, warned parents of Eggon nation to be held responsible for any breach of peace in the said villages and should not hesitate to report any plan of anarchy and chaos to relevant security operatives for intervention. (NAN)

•Photo shows militants.

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