Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Friday announced financial assistance to the families of the slain security agents killed by the Ombatse militia group.
Al-Makura made the announcement in Lafia when he addressed the wives of the policemen who lost their spouses.
He said each of the families of the security agents who went for the operation would get N1 million, while the family of ACP. Mohammed Mommoh, who led the operation, would receive N3 million.
The governor said that the gesture was aimed at alleviating the suffering of the bereaved families and added that the perpetrators of the deadly act would not go unpunished.
He also urged the people to remain calm and be law-abiding over the killing of some policemen.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Adeyemi Akeremale, had confirmed on Thursday that 30 policemen were killed in Alakyo, Lafia East Development Area, on Wednesday by the militia group.
Al-Makura said that the incident was “unfortunate, ungodly and uncalled for’’ and urged the family members to consider the incident as an act of God.
“It has been destined that the officers would die that day even if they did not go for the operation, as such, we should have faith in God Almighty,” he said
He, however, prayed God to grant the deceased officer’s eternal rest and to the families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“The government will not fold its hands over the ugly incident that led to the killing of policemen and civilians in the state.
“Their souls will not go in vain as the state government will do everything humanly possible to bring those behind the killings to book.
“We are calling on the people of the state to remain calm, be prayerful, embrace peace and wait for government to take appropriate steps to avert future occurrence,’’ Al-Makura said.
He said the state government would take appropriate measures to look into the immediate and remote causes of the crisis to find a lasting solution to the persistent insecurity in the state.
Al-Makura said that it was unfortunate that there was betrayal among those who went for the operation “but God knows the best.’’
