Bodies Of Slain Policemen Arrive Lafia Amidst Waillings

IT was gnashing of teeth and wailing at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), on Thursday, in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, when corpses of some of the mobile policemen that were killed on Wednesday arrived the premises of the hospital.

The entire vicinity wore a mournful look, in anticipation of receiving the bodies, most of whom were burnt beyond recognition. It was reliably gathered that some of the corpses were arranged in heaps and set ablaze by their attackers.

As early as 7.30 a.m., the environment was jam-packed due to the mammoth crowd and number of motorcycles parked haphazardly at the main entrance of the hospital. No one was ready to speak with newsmen, those approached for comments declined.

Narrating his ordeal in a chat, one of the policemen who sought anonymity said his survival, alongside 19 others was only by the grace of God as they were outnumbered and overpowered by the outlawed Ombatse militia boys. He pointed out that the militiamen had prior knowledge of their coming and laid siege to the narrow road leading to the Alakyo village, where they were supposed to effect the arrest of their spiritual leader and recover arms said to be in his possession.

According to him, “the road was narrow and they allowed us into their midst before opening fire on us at close range. Effort to return fire and scare them into hiding was futile as bullets did not penetrate them.”

The police officer told the Nigerian Tribune that the militiamen, dressed in black shirts and caps, kept approaching the police amidst heavy gunfire which forced their hilux vehicle to turn back being the last van on the convoy.

“Due to the nature of the road and ensuing gun duel, our men could not turn back and ten of us in our van were able to manoeuvre our way out but not without sustaining bullet injuries,” he added.

The recuperating officer added that their driver was shot on the leg but lucky enough one of those with him in front could drive and he immediately took over, saying many of the other officers took to the bush but being hugely outnumbered by the militiamen who knew the terrain better, they pursued and killed them.

“As soon as they kill an officer, his rifle was immediately taken off him,” he lamented.

Also speaking on condition of anonymity, a staff of the Red Cross Society, who went to evacuate the remains of the victims said the militiamen, who gave conditions that no armed security officer should accompany them, were still keeping close guard in the village. They seized their phones on entry which they returned after the evacuation.