May 27, 2013
The State Security Service (SSS) has forgiven the Ombatse cult group for killing its 10 officers, its Director General Ita Ekpenyong said.
Ekpenyong declared this during the candlelight vigil held at the SSS headquarters in Abuja in honor of the 10 SSS operatives killed by Ombatse cult in Alakyo, Nasarawa state.
“To those who could kill the body, note that you have made your community an ignoble sepulcher of innocent law enforcement agents, and that even though our spirits and will are cast in iron, yet we have forgiven you. We have obediently handed all of you over to the Almighty God since he thought us that vengeance is mine,” the SSS chief said.
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He said security personnel were sent to arrest followers of the cult because they forcefully initiated Muslims and Christians, a situation that almost resulted in violent confrontation where 46 policemen and 10 SSS operatives were killed.
But former Director General of the National Security Organization (NSO), General Abdullahi Mohammed said the killers shouldn’t be pardoned; rather the religion should be wiped away. “I wonder why the religion’s shrine was not leveled by now. Some people said they have forgiven the killers. We shall not forgive them, they must face justice hear or in the hereafter,” he said.
Also, Corps Marshal Chidoka said the killers of the security personnel should be traced sooner or later and be prosecuted. “They should face justice because is through justice you get peace,” he said.
Senate committee chair on national security and intelligence, Muhammed Magoro said security forces should be vigilant in the way they carry out operations and “must learn a lesson from what happen in Nasarawa not to repeat similar mistake and avoid mass casualties.” Chief of Staff to the President Mike Oghiadomhe, National Security Adviser Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory Olajumoke Akinjide, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps Osita Chidoka, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General Dr. Ade Abolurin, former security chiefs and religious leaders attended the event.