Ex-militants' agitation unsettles N'Delta

Fresh crisis has begun to brew in the Niger Delta over persistent agitation by a group of ex-militants to be included in the amnesty package of the Federal Government.SUNDAY PUNCH gathered that the activities of the ex-militants have constituted a serious threat to the fragile peace in the region.The development, it was learnt, had become worrisome leading to fears that the ex-militants numbering over 5000 were capable of renewing fresh arms struggle if the government failed to address their problems.On Thursday, a blockade was created on Lokoja Road by the ex-militants who were denied access to Abuja by soldiers.While soldiers frustrated all efforts by the ex-militants numbering over 120 to carry out their protest in Abuja, it was learnt that three of their leaders had flown to the Amnesty office in Abuja to submit some documents.However, it was learnt that they were arrested on the orders of Kingsley Kuku, the presidential adviser on Niger Delta.The Secretary-General of the group, Mr. Tonye Bobo, the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Lord Onipara and the Provost identified simply as Pereowei, were said to have been detained at the Abuja Amnesty office.One of the ex-militants who identified himself as General Ebi told SUNDAY PUNCH that as at Friday, the three leaders were still in detention.He said, "They did not go there to fight. They simply went there to submit our documents and to hold negotiations with the Amnesty office over our plight. But the next thing we heard from them was that they were being held in a guardroom."However, the Media Officer of the Amnesty Committee, Mr. Henry Ugbolue, debunked the claims of the ex-militants.He said, "We dont have any connection with these persons who are parading themselves as ex-militants. Kuku is not a security man and our office is not a security outfit. We wouldnt have ordered the arrest and detention of anybody. We have said it time and again that amnesty has been foreclosed and those agitating for inclusion are just wasting their time."
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