500 Edo militants seek inclusion in amnesty programme

Over 500 militants under the aegis of the Niger Delta Freedom Fighters, in Ikoro Camp in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State, on Sunday, expressed their desire to embrace the Federal Government amnesty programme, citing the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan in the just concluded presidential election as reason for their decision.

The militants led by ‘General’ Abiodun (a.k.a Kabiru), said they had informed the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta and the Director of the State Security Service in Edo and Delta states of their desire to surrender their weapons and embrace the amnesty programme on Tuesday.

Asked why he waited till now before embracing the amnesty programme, Abiodun said, “We thought government may be playing pranks but with what we have seen so far, President Goodluck Jonathan is a sincere man and his victory in the presidential election propelled us to drop our arms. We thought that the Hausas were going to manipulate the election and that was why we decided to remain in the creeks.

“We also want to express satisfaction with what Governor Adams Oshiomhole is doing in Edo State. He has actually shown that there is hope for the neglected areas. We want to work with him because it is our belief that after surrendering our arms tomorrow, crime will drastically reduce in the state. And we also want to appeal to both the Federal and state governments to release some of our boys who were arrested. We want peace and we need to be encouraged for the good of the state.”

Chairman of the area, an Ijaw community, Peter Asama, said the leaders of the community approved the delay in surrendering the weapons till after the presidential election due to “rumours that President Jonathan may be denied victory at the polls.”

He added, “But now that he has won, we want to support him wholeheartedly for the interest of the people of the Niger Delta. We also want to support the government of Oshiomhole because we have seen that the man is not like others who make empty promises.”