Ex-Militants Give FG Ultimatum on Amnesty Programme

Following the alleged refusal of the Federal Government to include them in the recently extended amnesty programme in the Niger Delta, some former militants have given the government a seven-day ultimatum to absorb them or face a resurgence of militancy in the region.

The militant’s ultimatum is coming on the heel of a face-off with the men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) two weeks ago that saw the ex-militants going on rampage and destroying properties on the streets of Yenagoa.

The ex-militants were insisting that they should be allocated one slot for every gun they surrender, but the Federal Government insisted that since they surrendered many months after the expiration of the programme time, it would only accept 15 guns for every ex-militant that surrendered his arms.

But following the decision of the Federal Government, the ex-militants were said to be threatening a resurgence of militancy in the region except their demands were met.

They also maintained that nobody should blame them as they cannot guarantee the security of oil installations should the Federal Government fail to register them.

The leaders in a statement signed on their behalf by ‘General’ Inami David, insisted that they deserved to be registered and documented having demonstrated repentance by submitting their arms.

David in the statement made available to THISDAY in Yenagoa, wondered why the team which carried out the verification and documentation in the region dashed the hopes of the ex-militants.

He said the team which carried out the exercise at the Sector Two Command Headquarters of the JTF in Yenagoa was biased, accusing its members of placing some camps ahead of others.

He said the ex-militants were denied registration after they were subjected to harsh treatment by members of the committee.

“We knew that our reporting to the police would achieve no positive result because we did not surrender our weapons to the police. We still went there and we were told to write down our camp details and phone numbers,” he said.

David warned that unless their demands were met, they may be forced to take actions, which might have a dire consequences on the economy of the nation.

“We the aggrieved group in the just concluded verification and documentation exercise are giving the Federal Government seven days to contact us and include us in the amnesty programme.

“Unless this happens, we will have no option but to resort to other means of resolving our grievances which will be of dire consequences to the Federal Government,” he said.

Posted: at 12-03-2013 06:32 AM (11 years ago) | Hero

Amnesty is nt 4 evri tom, dick n harry......... Na nw una knw d benefits abi? Opportunity seekers..................... ##laughing##

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Posted: at 12-03-2013 11:34 AM (11 years ago) | Gistmaniac