NASARAWA CONFLICT SURVIVORS: ‘For three days, we waited for security agents to rescue us’

No fewer than 50,000 people have been rendered homeless as Asakio,
Odobu and Obi local government areas of Nasarawa State are turned to
ghost towns as a result of the conflict between the Ombatse militia
and the Alago ethnic group.
Governor Tanko Al-makura visited the affected communities in the
company of his commissioners to assess the level of damage and to also
sympathize with the victims displaced and taking refuge in nearby
communities.
Al-makura, while being taken round the areas, lamented the destruction
of houses, particularly those of the paramount rulers in Obi and
Asakio. "I can't believe what my eyes are seeing today, this is
inhuman", he said.
Worst hit were the Alago settlements in Asakio, Odobu and Obi where no
single house including economic tree was left untouched by the
assailants who took their time to unleash terror on the communities.
It was a sight no one will wish even his enemies.
Among the places visited were the refugee camps in Namu, Qwann pang
local, government in Plateau State, Keana and Akwashi in Nasarawa
where some of the internally displaced persons, mostly women and
children, are taking their refuge.
"I sympathize with all of you. I want to assure you that my
administration will do everything possible to make sure you are
properly taken care till when the situation would be brought under
control so that you can all return back to your homes", the governor
said.
However the refugees expressed bitterness over poor relief materials
since penultimate Friday when they were forced to flee their homes.
One Mr. Ishage Amodu said that they were disappointed over the delay
in sending security agents to the troubled communities, saying, "When
the crisis started on Thursday, no single security personnel could be
found until after three days. That is why those criminals had enough
time to cause the kind of damage you all saw at Asakio and Obi".
Earlier, the governor, in a state broadcast, announced the banning of
commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as OKADA, in Lafia, Obi,
Doma, Nasarawa Eggon and Keana local governments between 700pm and
600pm.
He assured the people of Nasarawa State and in particular those in the
affected communities that his administration will not allow any group
of persons to take the law into their hands or destroy lives or
properties. He appealed to the citizens of the state to remain calm as
government was on top of the situation.
Meanwhile the National Emergence Management Agency (NEMA), on Friday,
distributed relief materials to over 25,000 Internally Displaced
Persons taking refuge in Keana and Namu.
NEMA Director General, Mohammed Sani-Sidi, represented by Mohammed
Suleiman, North Central zonal planning officer, who presented the
items to the IDPs in those camps, said the items were meant to
ameliorate the plight of the displaced persons especially women and
children.