Al-Makura donates 11 vehicles to security agencies to replace 11 burnt by Ombatse

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Wednesday confirmed that 11 Hilux vehicles were burnt when about 100 security operatives were killed by suspected Ombatse cult members on May 7 in Alakyo area of the state.

Mr. Al-Makura disclosed this when he presented 11 new Hilux patrol vans to the State Commissioner of Police, Umaru Shehu, at the government house, Lafia.

Nine of the vehicles were donated to the police, while two were given to the State Security Service, SSS, in the state.

Mr. Al-Makura said that the vehicles were to replace those destroyed during the Ombatse killings of security officials at Alakyo.

He said that the state government would continue to motivate security agencies to continue to perform their duties diligently.

“The gesture is to assist the security agencies in their efforts to ensure crime-free state and also boost their morale in curbing crime”.

“What happened at Alakyo recently should not discourage you from performing your duties and responsibilities as spelt out in the constitution but to strengthen your fate to continue to render selfless service to the country.

“I can assure you that the perpetrators of the deadly act would not go unpunished.

“All Nigerians and particularly the people of this state are touched by the devilish act,” he said.

Mr. Al-Makura described the incident as “unfortunate, ungodly and uncalled for’” and asked the family of the victims to consider the incident as an act of God.

“The government will not fold its hands over the ugly incident that led to the killing of the security personnel and the affected civilians in the state,” he said.

Answering questions from journalists after the event, Mr. Al-Makura decried the inadequate security personnel in the country especially the police saying that the 400 thousand police officers is grossly inadequate to cater for over 150 million Nigerians.

He said government must, as a matter of urgency, recruit more personnel to enable the police carry out its mandate efficiently.

Responding, the Commissioner of Police in the State, Umaru Shehu, thanked the government for the gesture and said that his men would be more determined to overcome the security challenges in the state.
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