The deadly militia group popularly known as Ombatse on Tuesday killed at least 20 police officers in an ambush, 10 kilometres from Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital, Nigeria’s north central region.
Aside those killed, nine others were critically injured by the militia and eight out of 11 operational vehicles set ablaze by the militia in the village.
The state police commissioner, Abayomi Akeremale, who spoke with newsmen on the attack, said the large contingent was on a mission to raid the shrine.
He said: “We decided at the State Security Council meeting, because of the frequent attacks on churches and mosques by this particular group, who are forcing people to swear an oath at the shrine, that we carry out an operation and arrest the perpetrators for prosecution; less it turns into a religious crisis.
“The people; some called them Ombatse, but they call themselves cultural people; ambushed our men and opened fire”, Mr Akeremale said.
“The policemen were on operation to raid the place and make arrests, particularly of the chief priest, and other leaders, who have been torturing worshipers in churches and mosques to force them to swear an oath of allegiance to Ombatse.
He said the worshipers had tortured and compelled an inspector of police, to swear allegiance to Ombatse, but added that the officer has been freed, and returned to his duty post.
“We are still after the persons “administering the oath forcefully on people. We will make sure we bring the perpetrators to book.”
The Nasarawa state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Michael Ada admitted that 20 policemen and men of the SSS were killed.
He said eight patrol vehicles were also burnt.