Nasarawa killings: FG orders deployment of troops to checkmate Ombatse, other militia cults

Following continuous killings and destructive activities by the Ombatse cult and other militia cult groups in Nasarawa  State which has resulted in the death of hundreds of Nigerians, the Federal Government, yesterday, ordered deployment of 800 troops to the state.

Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru, while making the disclosure, sai: “Due to the heightened security situation in Nasarawa State, the Federal Government has ordered the deployment of Nigerian Army troops in aid of civil authority in order to prevent further escalation of the violence and its spread to other parts of the state.”

“It is gratifying to note that the deployment of the troops to the violence prone area has helped in curbing the spread of violence by the Ombatse and other ethnic militia groups in Nasarawa State.

File: Battle-ready troops

“The Federal and Nasarawa State governments are exploiting other ways of ensuring the quick return to normalcy,” he added.

On the Boko Haram onslaught, Attahiru said: “In the process of routing the terrorists, insurgents camps located at Kitumari, Alkaderi, Kurunmaarti, Abali, Gajiram and Iza within the Sambisa forest have been destroyed.

“Other areas where insurgent’s camps were attacked include Ballabulin and Ngaram within Maiduguri metropolis as well as Gulimba area of Gwoza.

“The division continues to dominate the area through aggressive mobile patrols of highways and major urban centres as part of confidence building measure to facilitate the quick return to normalcy. All these are aimed at denying the terrorists the freedom of action,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “By and large, military operations within the seven division area of responsibility has been largely successful.

“Furthermore, in the course of the counter terrorism effort, troops of the division killed a top Boko Haram Commander, who is a High Value Target, Abba Goroma.”

Disclosing that nine soldiers are currently facing a military court martial over issues of indiscipline, Attahiru said: “In its bid to instil discipline and professionalism among its troops, based on Army headquarters directives, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Ebiobowei Awala has set up a General Court Martial to try erring officers and soldiers in its area of responsibility.”