UPDATE: Tension In Nasarawa, 43 Police Men Killed

Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, today confirmed that the death
toll from Tuesday's attack on policemen by a militia had risen to 43.

 Al-Makura announced the figure when he received a delegation from the
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who  came to help in the
search and rescue effort for victims.

 He said 17 security personnel were still missing but added that the
injured were responding to treatment, while some had been discharged
from the hospital.

 The governor said the ambush on policemen was an act of sabotage by
the group, which might have infiltrated the ranks of security
operatives in the state.


 Al-Makura said prior to the operation, the government made efforts to
invite the leader of the group, "but he refused to honour the
invitation to explain some of the activities of the sect."

 He said the security agencies had been on the trail of the leader for
months and had to take drastic action in order to check the excesses
of the group.

 "If we leave the group to continue infringing on people's rights by
forcing them to take concoction in order to initiate them into their
fold, it would degenerate into a religious crisis.

 "That is the justification for the action we took, unfortunately, we
were betrayed by saboteurs," the governor said.

 He said the killing was unacceptable and that the government would do
all within its power to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He commended NEMA for its prompt response and assured it of adequate
support in the discharge of its duties.

Earlier, Air Commodore Charles Otegbade, Director of Search and
Rescue, NEMA, expressed his condolences to the families of the
deceased and the state government.

 Otegbade said the team was  in the state to assess the situation and
report back for proper intervention as well as to provide immediate
relief to families of the victims.

Source: Punch