Payment To Tompolo,Asari Dokubo And Others Is Illegal

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday said the $ 40 million being paid annually to some ex- militants to guard the country’s pipelines is illegal, unconstitutional and indefensible. National publicity secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said in a statement that the main causes of the overheating of the polity today is the reckless manner political power is exercised and monopolised by a few individuals.

 He “We state again emphatically that it is totally unacceptable and unconscionable, even unprecedented especially in a fragile federation like ours, for any government to hand over the security of its entire maritime domain to a private firm a group of ex-militants for that matter given the far reaching implications of such a decision for trade, security, ports and shipping of the country. 

 “What is the agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan in allowing this to happen? Why would a government so willingly abdicate its responsibility of ensuring the security of its maritime domain? What were the ministers thinking when they approved this dangerous memo.”

 He added that it is self serving, irresponsible, untenable and illogical to defend the federal government action, saying, “It is outrageous decision to hand over the security of not only our entire maritime domain but also the responsibility of protecting our pipelines to ex-militants. In the first instance a decision as momentous as this ought to have been a subject of rigorous national debate. 

The entire transaction lacks transparency and due process and finally it passes a vote of no confidence in our armed forces and security agencies that are constitutionally mandated to provide these services.” He therefore urges the National Assembly to immediately wade into the matter and stop the arrangement due to its national security implications.

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Ex-militant threatens amnesty programme

The amnesty programme of the Federal Government was again threatened on Thursday with the resolve by the national leader of the Phase Three ex-militants, Mr Trust Ekiobelemo and his followers, to go back to the creeks following the failure to accommodate them in the programme. 

 Mr Ekiobelemo, who spoke at Ewu in Ughelli South Council Area of Delta State during a meeting of the phase three ex-militants, also decried the continued detention without trial of ex-warlords by security agents. 

 He called on the international community to prevail on the government of Nigeria to release all their members detained in various police cells across the country. He said members of his group were worried by the continuous detention of their members (phase three group members) who had earlier yielded to the Federal Government’s directive to surrender their arms and ammunition. 

 While describing the Federal Government as oppressive, the ex-militant leader noted that the amnesty programme had been hijacked by some politicians who see the programme as a cheap means of making money. He threatened that if their demand for inclusion of the phase three batch and payment of their entitlements are not met, they might go back to the trenches.

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We are hungry, we can take up arms again

In the Niger Delta military ranking, Mr Kinsley Umoh Bassey is known as General, sorry, Ex-General 007. He and his boys who left the creeks to embrace the federal government amnesty programme appear to have lost out, as government seems not bothered about them any longer. But to help maintain peace and security, he says his boys took up voluntary surveillance of petroleum pipelines crisscrossing the length and breadth of the oil producing areas of Akwa Ibom State. Yet, neither the federal government nor its agencies appear interested. Now he says their patience is wearing out. Excerpts

On Amnesty

Some of our youths that are around were not integrated into the amnesty programme; since they were not integrated we were standing by to be integrated into this pipelines surveillance because most of these pipelines pass through people’s community like the ones at Ikot Abasi, Eket, then the ones at Ibeno Okobo and Mbo. Those are where we have the pipelines and those pipelines are being protected by us since we left the creeks. 

So we protect those pipelines as our property. That is why you can see Akwa Ibom is number one oil producing state today because of the way we protect those pipelines. Now they have given Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers pipeline surveillance contract. But the one of Akwa Ibom still remains I have been writing to the Presidency, and to all sectors and NDDC. 

We wrote to them in Abuja they said we should wait, for over nine to eleven months now we are still waiting. While others are commencing their own surveillance operations that of Akwa Ibom still remains stagnant. So we are not happy about that.

Are they paying those protecting the pipelines in those other states? 

Yes they are paying. The boys are securing those pipelines so nobody will come from anyway to come and secure our property for us. The boys that protect those communities they know all the nooks and crannies of those areas. It is our duty to protect those pipelines in our community. We have been doing that since we came out from creeks. We have been protecting these pipelines but the Federal Government and NDC have not confirmed our appointment as they did to other states like Delta, Edo, Bayelsa and Rivers. So we are not happy. Since they did not take our boys in Akwa Ibom fully on amnesty programme, I think that should be in this one.

Were Akwa Ibom people officially involved in the militancy ?

We were involved but the problem is that we were not much in the struggle. But some of us like me they know as Ex-General Kingsley Umoh Bassey aka 007. That is the name; so I was there and some of our Akwa Ibom boys. So we were there but the problem is that we were not many like other states 

The few of you that were from Akwa Ibom s tate did you go out when others were going out, when they said people should come out?

Yea! We went out but not everybody came out; some of us came out and surrendered but not everybody that came out.

Those that came out and surrendered; where are they now?

Initially you have to go through the non-violent training in Obubra for two weeks. Then after that you come back home, then there will be a time they will call you in case of any other training for skills. So, some of them have gone to Lagos, some have gone to South Africa, some are even in Dubai, some in Ghana, depending on your field of specialization

Did you come out then or what happened to you ?

I came out with some of the boys. I said to some of my boys that they should come, that the Federal government said that we should come out, that we should come if we are to go and die, let’s go and die; since we are fighting for the Niger Delta, against the suffering and negligence of the people of the Niger Delta. So those that lived for justice, they came out; some of them were afraid to come out so those that didn’t come out, they don’t benefit from anything. 

Those that came out that you were supposed to be their leaders, what has happened to them? 

And you in particular, has the federal or state government done anything to you?

When I come out as a leader, they all know that this is the leader and this is somebody from Akwa Ibom State. But they were not many, so when we went for general election, they decided to make an Ijaw boy to be overall. They now put me to be second in command in the state. So we were working but we did not agree. Then after that we said okay after the Ijaw man would stay up to some years, maybe two or three years the tenure will elapse, I can now continue. So that is why I’m coming out fully because this is my tenure. 

Has the tenure of the Ijaw guy elapsed?

Yes, it has elapsed.

Now, you talk about securing the pipelines, how many of you are securing the pipelines, that the federal government has not done anything in terms of compensation? 

As it is, we are over 3,000 boys. You know Akwa Ibom boys, when you ask them to do something, they are perfect with it and they can work and they are hungry to work; so we are over 3,000 working, because those pipelines pass through their villages, through their domains, through their communities. So they just voluntarily decided to secure to show the federal government and the people that it is their property and it is their right for them to protect their property.

What is the appointment package like in terms of payment? 

If the government wants to be highly involved, I think there’ll be a quotation of the amount that will be paid, but for now there is no quotation we don’t how much will be paid, for now what we are doing it. 

So can it be said that what you are doing now is voluntary job?

It is voluntary job for our state and for our community, in the interest of Nigeria and Niger Delta to show the good citizens that we have love for and in this country and in Niger Delta and in Akwa Ibom. So, that’s what we are doing now.

For how long will you continue like that? 

We will continue. It is our duty, we will continue till we make sure that everything goes the way it is supposed to go in Nigeria and Niger Delta.

You are asking the federal government for anything?

Yes, we ask them that the boys are at work. Like me being the leader, some of the boys are already accusing me because they feel maybe I’m collecting something from the government, then I don’t come and tell them. So they are pointing fingers at me in which I’m doing it with open mind. They don’t pay me anything. So, the boys are worried, for now, that they have been doing it for long with no benefit. So they feel that I’m the one that is collecting their money.

Do you foresee any violence if maybe after sometime the federal government doesn’t look in your direction at all?

Yes; definitely; there will be violence because it is cheating. A hungry man is an angry man and when you are angry, you can go out with arms and do as you please.

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Boko Haram’s threat : We’ll resist any attempt to harm Jonathan – Ex N-Delta militants

The threat by the violent Islamic group, Boko Haram to bring down the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in three months has drawn the flak of stakeholders in the Niger Delta region warning of grave consequences should any harm befall him. 

 Reacting to the violent Islamic Boko Haram threat on the President, Spokesman of the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF), a former militant group in the creek of delta, Capt. Mark Anthony warned Boko Haram to mind its utterances in the interest of peace. Also, the Founding Director of Ijaw Council for Human Rights (ICHR) Patterson Ogon, while reacting to the Boko Haram threat on President Jonathan said, “Boko Haram has continued as though they have the licence to kill. Threatening the life of the President is taking the matter beyond any imaginable limit. 

 In his own reaction, National Chairman of South South Element Progressives Union (SSEPU), Mr. Joseph Ambakederimo said, “We think the Boko Haram are gradually coming out behind the curtain to avail Nigerians of the real motive of the group after all.” The ex Niger delta chief described as an affront on the sensibilities of ex militants in the Niger Delta who have had over 10 years of violent confrontations with the Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force warning that any attempt to harm the President would spell doom for the nation. 

 In a statement entitled, “Boko Haram, Mind Your Utterances, N/Delta Ex-militants warned,” the group said, “The attention of the leadership of Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) has been drawn to the ranting of Islamist militants Boko Haram leadership utterances of planning to bring President Goodluck Jonathan’s democratically elected government to an end in three months. “We viewed this statement as an affront on the sensibilities of Niger Delta ex-militants who have had several face to face gun confrontations with the Nigerian army under the Joint Task Force over ten years. 

 “We are warning the entire northern leaders to advise their children to be mindful of their actions and utterances as any attempt on President Goodluck Jonathan’s life shall spell doom for the entire nation. We will resist violently because we have said it over again and again that the Presidency for the South-South was a sympathy vote by the entire country to appease Niger Delta ex-militants and the region over federal government criminal abandonment of region’s oil and gas wealth being exploited over 50 years.”

 Any harm to Jonathan’s life would elicit grave consequences – Ijaw Group In its reaction the Ijaw Media Forum through its President, Elder Asu Beks urged the Islamic group to have a rethink, warning that any attempt to harm the President would be visited with grave consequences. Elder Beks said, “like other discerning Nigerians, the Ijaw Media Forum knew before now that the entire Boko Haram crisis was a well-organized political movement packaged by those opposed to the Jonathan administration.” 

 The Ijaw Media Forum said, “We are not surprised that this threat is coming from the Boko Haram and their political backers. What, perhaps, beats our imagination is why it took the them so long to open up and narrow down their war against their loss of political power to President Jonathan whom they have always seen as the cause of their woes. “Now that the group has come out in clear and unambiguous terms the Ijaw media Forum wishes to state as follow: • That President Jonathan, a Nigerian of Ijaw extraction, has the inalienable right to govern Nigeria; and having been elected by Nigerians to lead this country will remain President till the end of his constitutional tenure.

That any group, including Boko Harm, opposed to President Jonathan’s administration, has the option of seeking asylum anywhere else in the world until the end of his tenure. •That the Ijaw Media Forum will not fold its arms and watch any person or group intimidate an Ijaw man whom it has pleased the Almighty to pick as President of Nigeria at this point in our national history.

That henceforth, any bomb that explodes within a radius of FIVE KILOMETRES of where the President is at any given time will be matched with a more devastating bombing in any area we consider appropriate to carry out retaliation. •That any act of kidnapping which could be interpreted to be part of the fulfillment of this recent threat by Boko Haram will be met with equal measure of retaliation. That the Niger Delta youths agreed to embrace amnesty in the interest of the larger Nigerian nation does not mean that we are pushovers. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Boko Haram has drawn the battle line.” 

Northern leaders’ lukearm attitude is suspicious–Ogon Ogon in his reaction said, “While I believe the security agencies are deepening their claws into the veins of the purveyors of violence, the lukewarm response and mere talks by the northern leadership remains suspect and outright disappointing. “Those who have claimed to represent the murderous and renegade gang to negotiate on behalf of Boko Haram with the Federal Government should be placed on security watch and questioned on the current issues. Nothing will happen to Mr. President. Nonetheless, no such threat should be treated with kid glove.” 

 SSEPU said Boko haram has “been hiding under the canopy of fighting against western education. However it became curious that the medium they use to spread and propagate their message is as a result of those who have acquired western education and we have been suspect since this pronouncement. “Now that the coast is becoming clearer, it is high time the President comes out to deal decisively with the group. There should be no let in the offensive on the group wherever they may be found. The Islamic sect should be routed out and crushed for good.”

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Ex-militants bomb five Agip oil wells

WHILE Christians trooped to the churches, yesterday, to mark Palm Sunday in commemoration of the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, suspected ex-militants stormed the National Agip Oil Company, NAOC, with explosives and bombed five cluster oil wells belonging to the company. 

 The oil wells, according to information available to Vanguard, are located between River Niger and Tailor creek in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. It was reliably gathered that the bombing of the oil wells was led by an ex-militant leader, identified as “Commander” Cairo. The ex-militant leader, who confirmed that he actually led the “operation” in an interview with Vanguard, yesterday, said: 

“We, among other things, are protesting the underdevelopment of Niger Delta by the Federal Government.” Reminded that the President Goodluck Jonathan hails from the same Niger Delta, he (ex-militant leader) said was underdeveloped, “Commander” Cairo said: “It does not matter whether he is from Niger Delta, the problem is that the region is underdeveloped. 

We will continue to bomb oil installations until they realise that they have to come and develop our region.” Asked if the ex-militants who bombed the five oil wells did not encounter men of the Joint Task Force, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, on the way, he said: “We did not meet soldiers and if we met them, we would have killed them.”

 He said he was a member of the third phase amnesty programme, adding that he and many others were not accommodated in the post-amnesty programme by the Federal Government after they were wooed to surrender their arms by the government, with promises of rehabilitation and training. He said: 

“Tell them, what we will do after this time if they don’t come to develop Niger Delta will be dangerous. We will bomb vital installations of the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNPECo, in our next onslaught and nobody will be spared.”

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Amnesty: FG says oil firms failed to train ex-militants

THE failure of multinationals in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria to fulfill their promise of training 3, 000 ex-militants in petroleum related fields has become a source of worry to the Federal Government, Special Adviser to the president on Niger Delta Matters, Kingsley Kuku has said. He lamented that the companies have only trained 1, 200 youths in areas such as tailoring, catering and other vocations not related to petroleum.

 Kuku said this at an investiture ceremony at the weekend, where he was honoured as ‘Maritime Man of the Year 2011,’ a statement by the spokesman of the amnesty office, Mr. Henry Ugbolue, said. According to the statement, Kuku threatened to withdraw the ex-militants from the current centres, where they are undergoing training, if the outcome of his tour does not please him.

 Kuku said the target of the amnesty office in 2012 is to train over 8,400 ex- militants in several areas, such that people of the Niger Delta region could get job placements in the petroleum industry.

 He said there was no going back on the training of ex-militants in marine related areas, as the target of government is to ensure that in the next few years, the youths would have the skills and competence to take up jobs in the region, which were hitherto given to foreigners. “It is sad to note that the oil and gas companies are not offering quality training to youths from the Niger Delta region.

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Suspected ex-militants blow up Shell pipeline in Bayelsa

SUSPECTED ex-militants , weekend, bombed a crude oil pipeline belonging to Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNPECo, in Bayelsa State, but an official said, last night, that the company was not aware of the incident.

Sunday Vanguard was told that the bombing, Friday night, destroyed the SNEPCo oil pipeline, which supplies crude to Egbomoturu Flow Station in Southern Ijaw local government area of the state. The bombers said they blew up the crude oil pipeline because of Federal Government’s refusal to create space for them (ex-militants) in the amnesty programme.

Corporate Media Relations Manager at SNEPCo, Mr. Tony Okonedo, said there was no report of destruction of the company’s pipeline by those in the operations unit.

A text message and calls by our reporter to the media coordinator of the Joint Task Force, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, Lt. Col. Antigha, were not answered , but one “General Commander” Bosewe, who said he was calling from the Thick Forest, called Sunday Vanguard, yesterday, claiming that he sent out the boys that carried out the bombing.

Bosewe, who spoke in Pidgin English, said he had stationed his men in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States to blow up oil facilities in the region in the next 10 days, adding that the only thing that would quench the wrath of the group was inclusion of his group of second and third phase ex-militants in the amnesty programme.

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Ex-militant returns from US as Marine Engineer

THREE years ago, he was one of the militants carrying guns in the creeks of Niger-Delta, but on March 19, he returned from an 18-month intensive training in the United States of America, USA, a qualified marine engineer.

His name is Engineer Moses Gbogun, a beneficiary of the Federal Government’s amnesty programme for militants.

Brimming with pride, the Egini (Udu)- born Engr. Gbogun arrived Osubi Airport, Warri, Delta State, six days ago, from Florida, describing the amnesty programme as a huge success.

He was full of praises for President Goodluck Jonathan for the transformation that had taken place in his life, as well as all those who worked behind the scene to make the programme a success.

Gbogun said he was trained in one of the best schools in the United States, adding that there would never be the need to return to armed struggle, as the amnesty programme initiated by the Late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua and developed further by President Goodluck Jonathan was a life- time opportunity that should never be squandered by any beneficiary.

His words, “I want to use this opportunity to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his benevolence at making the amnesty programme work. I also want to commend the commitment of Dr Kingsley Kuku, Adviser to Mr President on Amnesty and Rehabilitation of ex militants”.

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Ex-militants blow up Agip flow station in Bayelsa

GUNMEN, suspected to be former militants, weekend, bombed an Agip Flow Station in Bayelsa State, claiming it was in protest against the gross underdevelopment of Niger Delta region.

The leader of the group, “General” Cairo, who spoke to Vanguard, on phone, yesterday, said: “I am a former militant. We are unhappy that for two years, the Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan had not done anything tangible to develop the Niger Delta region, that was why we bombed the Agip flow station.”

Vanguard learnt that the old 10 production pipeline (departure pipeline), also known as Agip manifold, Obrucomo is located at Biseni/Idu area of the state.

“General” Cairo, who is the leader of the Movement for the Survival of Niger Delta Disarmed Youths, MOSODY, said though he and his men had surrendered their arms, “we were not included in the post-amnesty programme, though our anger was more of lack of development in the region.”

He said nobody was killed in the attack on the Agip flow station and the group would continue the attack until President Jonathan shifts his attention to the development of the region.

He added that he knew the former militant leader, Mammy Water, who, the Joint Task Force, JTF, said was killed in an encounter with naval personnel after some military personnel were massacred, but could not confirm if he was still alive or dead.

“I was in a separate speedboat when we encountered the military men on that day, but I have been calling his line since without success. I heard that he is dead from the JTF attack.”

He said he does not know the whereabouts of “General” Victor Gbekeke, who led the attack on the military men.

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Ex-militants Are Back Bomb Hotel In Delta

Ex Militants undergoing training under the Federal Government Amnesty Programme, Monday, bombed a hotel, (name withheld) , Osubi in Okpe local government area of Delta State, which served as their temporal home since last year.

The ex-militants alleged that the consultant was colluding with the management of the hotel to deprive them of their entitlements and shelled the hotel with dynamites.

The hotel management and a source close to the consultant, Generic College, however, described the allegation as unfounded.

It was gathered that the ex-militants were not interested in staying in the hotel or undergoing any training and what they simply wanted was for the consultant to give them money meant for their hotel accommodation and other allowances.

It was gathered that for some months running, it had been a running battle between the consultant and the recalcitrant ex-militants.

When NEWSMEN visited the hotel, it was discovered that a section of the two-storey building collapsed as a result of the bombing. Several rooms were affected and the debris of the shattered blocks, doors and roof were all over the place.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim MammanTsafe, Director of SSS in the state, Area Commanders of Police in Ughelli and Warri visited the scene of the incident, Monday.

The Joint Task Force on the Niger-Delta, Anti-Terrorism Squad and Anti-Bomb Squad were said to have made some arrest as the time of our visit but the details were not available.

An official of the hotel who spoke to NEWSMEN said he got a report at about 4.00 am on Monday that the hotel was collapsing and rushed down to the hotel, only to find the ex-militants in a “war” mood.

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Ex-militant runs amok, kills speed boat driver

A notorious ex-militant went berserk, weekend, at Obotebe community, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State and gunned down a speed boat driver, Salemon Ariri.

He fled the community after the incident but irate villagers set ablaze the residences of his father, a prominent leader of the town and other relations on Saturday evening.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mamman Tsafe told newsmen when contacted that the police would collaborate with the Joint Task Force, JTF, on the Niger-Delta to track down the fleeing ex-militant.

Traditional ruler of Obotebe, HRH, Akemeotubo Okeren, confirmed the incident, yesterday, on phone, saying arrangement was being made to bring the remains of the deceased, who was married before his death, to a mortuary in Warri.

Information available to newsmen showed the suspect was embroiled in a physical combat with another ex-militant over a community matter, when suddenly he scurried into his house, brandishing a rifle, which he fired randomly.

Villagers ran helter-skelter as he shot sporadically into the air, while Salemon Ariri, who was just arriving home at the time, was hit in the process. He died on the spot.

A source said, “The villagers could not apprehend the ex-militant because he was armed and had been terrorizing them since he and other ex-militants were granted amnesty by the Federal Government”.

His words, “There is no police post in Obotebe, everybody was running away after the incident because nobody wants to be shot too. His parents live in the community, his father is a known chief, but the boy is very wild”.

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Gunmen attack ex-militant country home in Bayelsa

The riverine settlement of Olugbobiri in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was yesterday, invaded by unknown gunmen, who attacked the country home of ex-militant leader, Mr. Africa Ukpariasa.

A section of Ukpariasa country home, it was learnt, was being used as a base by BAJERO, an outfit owned by ex-militant which was recently awarded surveillance job by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to secure pipelines in the mangrove swamp of central Niger Delta. Policemen were at the premises when the gunmen struck, which led to a fierce gunfight.

Four policemen and a gateman sustained serious injuries in the attack and are currently hospitalized.

Three of the injured policemen, said to be in critical condition have been transferred to Port Harcourt, while the fourth policeman and the gateman are on admission at an undisclosed hospital in Yenagoa.

The attack on the home of the ex-militant, which came few hours after the twin bomb blasts that rocked Bayelsa State capital on Friday, was launched at about 1.am according to a source in the riverine community.

Though the motive for the invasion could not be immediately ascertained but informed sources told Vanguard that the gunmen may have attacked the home of the ex-militant leader believing it was stashed with money.

Dynamites were said to have been used to rip apart the bullet proof doors by the invaders, who ransacked the entire building.

Sources within the community told NEWSMEN that the armed gunmen stormed the community in three double engine speed boats at about 1am, when the entire community had retired to bed.

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Niger Delta Ex-militants to Resume Bombing Over Unpaid Allowances

A group of former warlords in the Niger Delta have threatened to start bombing oil installations tomorrow.

The group, which issued a statement on Thursday, announced that it took the decision after a three-hour meeting held in the creeks of the region recently.

Two weeks ago, the militants had handed the government

14-day ultimatum to meet some demands. Their demands included the payment of their monthly allowances and the recognition of some militants who embraced the amnesty programme by submitting their arms to the Kingsley Kuku-led Presidential Amnesty Committee.

They had also demanded that the Federal Government should urgently probe the Presidential Amnesty Committee, describing it as a fraud.

"Except these modest requests are granted within the next 14 days, the Presidential Amnesty Committee should be ready for more face-offs and violent confrontations," the ex-militants had warned.

The statement issued by one General’ Keithy Sese, "the General Officer commanding all ex-militants on Phase 3," claimed that the group had no choice but to resort to the use of violence, "the only language that the Nigerian government understands."

It warned "all multi-nationals and their expatriate workers to urgently relocate from the states of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers as we will not be held responsible for anything that befalls people who refuse to listen to these modest directives."

The statement said that the meeting concluded that government officials in the Presidential Amnesty Committee were applying double standard in dealing with ex-militants from some ethnic nationalities.

The ex-militants had demanded that the Federal Government should probe the Presidential Amnesty Committee, describing it as a fraud. Key among their requests was that the Federal Government should "recognise and train" all ex-militants who had submitted their arms to the Joint Military Task Force.

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Philipine Police Arrest 8 Nigerian Ex Niger Delta Militant Over Alleged S*x Trade Involving Minors

A scandalous allegation of having sx with minor Philippine girls have been made against 8 out of the 96 Nigerian boys from Niger Delta who were on the sponsorship of the Federal Government of Nigeria Amnesty programme in far-away Philippine.

The Nigerian suspects stands the risk of being thrown into jail for the next 18 years unless they cough out 1million pesos each (about N3.5m). Already, the organizers of the programme have dished out about 5 million pesos to Philippine Police to amend the charges in order to give the boys a leeway out of the hook of the law.

The Head of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Samuel Pagdilao said the Nigerians were arrested last Wednesday inside a hotel in Manilla for allegedly engaging in a s*x trade involving female minors. He gave the names of the suspects as ; Lucky Nelson, 24, Dumalo Gbue, 25, Yerebbari Neemana, 29, Owki Baknanawe, 29, Sundah Korobriowei Mathew, 29, Gabriel Tekena, 28, Worlo Enyi, 25 and Mark Jack, 24. 

According to him, “the authorities learned about the suspects’ illegal activities after receiving an e-mail complaint from the mother of one of the minors alleging that “The [minors] were being sold to the suspects for s*xual services at the hotel.”

The complainant also sought the assistance of CIDG for the rescue of her daughter,” In a rescue operation at about 10 p.m. of Wednesday, CIDG operatives saw a certain Emma Cruz, believed to be the minors’ “handler,” negotiating with the Nigerians outside the hotel. The victims were being peddled to the suspect for P1, 500 each. Authorities then arrested the Nigerians after the complainant-mother, who went along with the CIDG operatives, recognized one of the minors being “sold” as her 14-year-old daughter.

But the alleged “handler” eluded arrest.” Pagdilao said charges for violation of the Anti-violence Against Women and Children Law and the Anti-human Trafficking in Person Law are being prepared against the suspects and lauded the CIDG’s “Project Angel Net,” a police campaign introduced by the CIDG to prevent children from becoming victims of cyber- s*x, cyber -pornography, and other trafficking and s*x trade-related abuses.

However, in a swift reaction, most of the Nigerian boys undergoing the programme told Crime Guard on phone that it was a frame up geared towards extorting money from them. One of them who craved for strict anonymity gave a vivid account of what really took place on the day in question. According to him, “At about 10pm local time, our boys who have the habit of seating in front of their hotel of residence, saw the police arrive in three SUV Van and began arresting as much of the blacks as they saw.

Some of the boys were able to run into their hotel room and by that escaped being arrested. They were taken to Campo Crame, a police Village in Quzon City. We went there and were told by the police officers that the boys were arrested for engaging minors in s*x. “We got a lawyer who came to negotiate for us.

We, however, discovered it was a setup organized by the police and some of their informants (who, one of the boys) had engaged before for s*x as a prostitute which is called pokpok in filipino language and did not pay her. In truth, the boys did not commit the offense as charged, but it is a common thing for Philippine police to set foreigners up and extort money from them.

When we went into negotiation, they asked us to pay 1,000,000.00 pesos per person or they will charge them and make sure they go in for a minimum of 18 years jail term here in the Philippines. They have perfected a process that will make it difficult for the boys to be acquitted as well as delay court process till the end of our stay. We were left with no option but to negotiate with them. 

We involved the Nigerian Embassy, and the Ambassador, Mr. S.A.O Egurube, Charge d’Affaires en titre / Head of Mission and Mr. Abraham E. Okoliko who is the Minister (Consular and Information) among other staff of the embassy, were at the police station. “However, their presence made the police uncomfortable and as such, the boys were charged to court without further delay. 

The embassy had to withdraw so that we could negotiate effectively. At this point, we gave the police 5 million pesos and the charges were amended to give the boy a leeway out of the hook of the law. At present, a court process is going on and by the grace of God, they will be out in, at most, 2 weeks time. 

We are still spending more money in the court process to fast track it.” Crime Guard also gathered that the Phillippine Star, a local tabloid celebrated the story against the Nigerian boys who are studying pipe line and underwater welding at MFI Foundation. Source: Vanguard

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Prosecute Boko Haram or release Okah, ex-militant leaders tell FG

SCORES of ex-militants and youth activists in the Niger Delta region yesterday described as a “miscarriage of justice” the refusal of the Federal Government to arrest and prosecute members of the Boko Haram sect over the rising spate of bomb attacks in Abuja and other parts of the North.

They held that if the government was unwilling to prosecute members of the Islamic sect and their sponsors, it should release, unconditionally, the detained Leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta Region (MEND), Mr. Henry Okah. The group, under the aegis of the Network of Freedom Fighters in Niger Delta (NIDDEMCOW), led by a former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Comrade Nengi James, said the rising cases of bomb attacks and killings by Boko Haram has shown that Henry Okah is just being unjustly persecuted by the Federal Government.

A statement issued yesterday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, by James declared that failure of the Federal Government to commence criminal proceedings against the Boko Harm sect and its members would force the youths of the region to demand for the release of Okah from South African jail.

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