Amnesty Runs Into Hitch
September 28, 2009 11:12, 102 views

President Umar Yar’Adua’s amnesty initiative for Niger Delta militants appears doomed, as some key militants show a lack of interest to disarm

By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Since June, when President Umaru Yar’Adua announced an amnesty offer for militants in the Niger Delta who turn in their weapons, the exercise has been marred by controversy. A sizeable number of militants have been shown on television surrendering their weapons in Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states. But militant leaders such as Ateke Tom of the Niger Delta Vigilante, Mr. Government Ekpemuokpolo, alias Tompolo, Fara Dagogo and others who command a large followership are yet to hand in their weapons and embrace the amnesty package.

The militia leaders and some opinion leaders in the region perceive the amnesty offer as a smokescreen aimed at hoodwinking the impoverished people of the oil-rich region, arguing that the fundamental issues that led the insurgents to start bearing arms had not been addressed.

MEND, responsible for attacks that have wrought havoc on Africa's biggest energy industry in the last three years, has branded Boyloaf a sell-out.

But Ben has dismissed the criticism, saying the militant group was in disarray.

"What you see of MEND today is just an individual pushing out those write-ups through the Internet, which is a reflection of the frustration on his own part," said Ben, who lives in a two-storey duplex in the heavily guarded state government compound in Yenagoa.

Hundreds of militants, many claiming to be former Ben loyalists, have protested sporadically over the government's failure to pay them for handing over their weapons.

The rebels, who have blockaded roads and disrupted commerce, have threatened to return to their villages and resume attacks against the oil industry if they are not paid.

"Those boys who protested a few days ago did so because they were not paid their stipend. They are not my boys," he said.

Ben denied rumours that he received as much as 2 billion naira ($13 million) from the government for taking the amnesty.

"The government never promised nor gave me any money," he said.

becoomrich:

chi neke $13 million. una you sure say it is better to be a militia now.

chic2pimp:

Na so we see am oo.

Dat money fit even help fund your presidential campaign abi?