By Godwin Ojoshimite

Nasarawa State governor, Umar Tanko Al-makura, has denied reports in the media that his administration is considering granting amnesty to the outlawed Ombatse militia group allegedly responsible for the killing of security operatives in Alakio.

Al-Makura made his position known through a press statement signed by his senior special assistant on media and press affairs, Sani Musa Mairiga.

The governor described the reports as false, callous, and unfounded adding that it is a calculated attempt to drag his name in the mud and rubbish the efforts of his administration towards finding a lasting solution to the Ombatse menace.

According to him, there was nowhere in his speech where he canvassed amnesty for members of the sect.

“It is shocking that a story of such magnitude was published without recourse to what I said while delivering a lecture on the topic: contemporary security challenges in Nasarawa state,at the institute for security studies in Bwari Abuja on Tuesday”, he said.

The governor reasoned that such comments could pre-empty the work of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the state government to probe the Alakio massacre of security operatives and other matters.

He added that “this story as published by some newspapers is a figment of the imagination of the writers”.

He maintained that his administration would continue to ensure peaceful co -existence among the various ethnic groups in the state.

The press statement, however, called on the general public to disregard the newspaper report and await the outcome of the judicial commission of inquiry.