Some ex-militants from the Third Phase Amnesty have threatened to attack oil installations in Niger Delta.
They have been at loggerheads with the Coordinator of the Federal Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, over the failure of the Amnesty Office to accommodate them after they had allegedly surrendered their arms.
Although, Kuku insists that the amnesty window has closed, advising the ex-warlords to seek other alternative means of empowerment, the ex-militants are insistent on being included in the programme.
The group, which has broken into different factions, blocked federal roads in various protests. They have also claimed responsibilities for the destruction of some oil installations in the area.
In a statement by one General Owei Paboh, a.k.a Lukuluku, on Monday, the ex-militants alleged that the Federal Government was not willing to integrate them into the programme.
They gave the government a seven-day ultimatum to commence immediate payment of their entitlements, threatening to return to the creeks with the aim of crippling oil production in the region.
But the Joint Military Task Force, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, dismissed the threat, advising people to go about their normal business.
The Media Coordinator, JTF, Lt. Col. Timothy Antigha, said the outfit had put measures in place to forestall a possible breakdown of law and order.
He explained that since the relevant government authorities had insisted that the amnesty was over, the ex-militants should explore other ways to actualise their dreams.
He said, “JTF wishes to make it clear that the relevant organ of government has stated unequivocally that there will be no more amnesty. Consequently all those masquerading as former militants and are agitating for fresh amnesty should note that the amnesty is closed.
“They are therefore advised to seek other platforms on which they can engage with the Federal Government. The JTF wishes to make it clear that violent agitation under any guise will not be tolerated”.
No comments:
Post a Comment