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Tag: Militants

  • Militants, smugglers won’t be tolerated, Navy warns

    The Commander of the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory in Calabar, Cross River State, Commodore Vincent Okeke, has warned that militants, smugglers and oil bunkerers, will not be tolerated within his area of operation.

    Okeke spoke yesterday at the NNS Victory jetty after handing over 724 bags of foreign rice worth about N13 million and eight suspects to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    According to him, the suspects and items were arrested in two large wooden boats, popularly known as Cotonou Boat, on the Calabar Channel by his men on patrol.

    The Commander said they were heading for Akwa Ibom State from neighbouring Cameroon.

    He said: “We are handing them over as expected to the Customs for further investigations and prosecution. The message is clear. For this to happen shortly after my resumption means they want to test my will. I can promise them I am equal to the task. Militants, smugglers, bunkerers should all stay away. I will not tolerate any such thing in my area of operation.

    “Our work here is to make our waters safe. We have maintained 24 hours patrol along the Calabar Channel. I assure all well meaning Nigerians and seafarers that the water is safe for them.”

    The Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of Eastern Marine Command, Calabar, Gabriel Johnson, was happy with the relationship between the Navy and the Customs.

    He said: “We are elated about the relationship with the Navy. These waterways are not safe for any smuggler. We would work with the Navy to make sure they do not have their way.”

    According to him, there would be further investigation after which the suspects would be prosecuted and the bags of rice confiscated by the Federal Government.

  • Militants endorse Buhari for second term

    Niger Delta creek warlords under the auspices of Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) yesterday backed President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term.

    They noted that Buhari is the only President, who has shown commitment to peace, and the willingness to develop Niger Delta.

    RNDA’s Leader ‘Maj.-Gen’. John Mark Ezenobi aka Obama, in an electronic statement, said they took the decision at a meeting attended by service commanders in Egbema, Rivers State.

    The group said it reviewed the activities of past presidents, including ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and came up with a verdict that Buhari was the best among them.

    RNDA is a coalition of nine militant groups.

    It  said Niger Delta was under-developed by the last Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Federal Government.

    They described the 16-year administration of PDP, including Jonathan’s tenure, as a disaster.

    The body said despite efforts to damage Buhari’s reputation, his integrity and sustained fight against corruption stood him out as the best candidate for the Presidency.

    RNDA said it was unfortunate “self-acclaimed” leaders of Niger Delta and “so-called” PDP Southsouth governors were celebrating looters, who contributed to the under-development of Niger Delta.

    It dismissed the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) as a failed and corrupt group.

    RNDA said those parading themselves as PANDEF misled Jonathan and former ministers of Petroleum and Niger Delta Affairs, Diezani Allison-Madueke, and Godday Orubebe.

    The statement said: “RNDA, with the coalition of nine militant groups in the creeks, has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for another term in office.

    “This endorsement is because of the President’s integrity characterised so far in fighting corruption to a standstill in the country because corruption and bad leadership have contributed to the under- development of Niger Delta and the country.

    “The Buhari-led Federal Government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has shown much commitment to address the under-developmental challenges facing Niger Delta for decades, caused by the corrupt, previous bad administration of PDP, which wasted 16 years of governance.

    “RNDA notes with regret that the six years administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan was characterised by massive corruption, looting, favouritism and gross non-supervision of his appointees, with no completed project in the long-neglected region.

    “Jonathan’s government took the people of Niger Delta back to the stone age of under-development.

    “RNDA accepted the Federal Government’s ceasefire agreement in 2016 for dialogue. This led to remarkable and sustained peace in the region, following renewed destruction and bombing of oil installation and facilities that crippled the nation’s oil output and eventually led to recession.

    “Most worrisome and painful is the fact that the ex-President Jonathan administration goofed on the development of the region, as he was unable to complete the road to his Otuoke community in Bayelsa State.

    “RNDA is pleased with President Buhari’s willingness and commitment to the development of Niger Delta since he came on board in 2015 despite the recession, which greeted the emergence of his administration, as the crude price hit an all-time low of N35 per barrel.

    “President Buhari’s fight against corruption, which was the signpost of the previous PDP administrations, defined his stand on the development of the region.

    “We hail him for the smooth take-off of academic activities at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, and we commend the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for the approval for the dredging of Escravos River to enable cargo vessels access Warri, which will in turn boost economic activities.”

     

  • Militants to return to ‘bombing on installations’

    Niger Delta militants have announced expiration of their ceasefire from yesterday to resume attack on oil installations.

    They have also criticizied the raid on the home of the Ijaw elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark by policemen.

    The self-acclaimed regional freedom fighters have also demanded fthe relocation of headquarters of multinational oil companies to the Niger Delta region by December.

    A statement yesterday under the name, Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators,  reiterated their stand on restructuring of the country.

    They berated the Federal Government and Inspector  General  of  Police  Ibrahim Idris for allegedly ordering security operatives  ”to invade the Ijaw leader’s residence in Abuja “with the aim of assassinating him for championing restructuring and the course of Niger Delta people”.

    Those who signed the statement,  which was issued at the end of their general assembly meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,  included: General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs,  Convener),

    General Ekpo Ekpo  (Niger Delta Volunteers),  General Osarolor Nedam  (Niger Delta Warriors), Majo-Gen. Henry Okon Etete  (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters), Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw ( BakassiFreedom Fighters)  and Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice).

    Others are,  Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson (Niger Delta Fighters),Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams (Niger Delta Freedom Mandate),  Major-Gen. Abiye Tariah (Niger Delta Development Network), Major-Gen. Joshua Ebere (Renewed Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta), Major-Gen. Jeremiah Anthony (Movement for Actualization of Niger Delta Republic),  Major Francis Okoroafor (Niger Delta Freedom Redemption Army) and Colonel Okochi Walter (Niger Delta Liberty Organization) as well as other representatives of major groups across the Niger Delta region.

     

    They said,  “The recent attempt on the life of Chief E. K. Clark is one in the series of people in the Southern and Middle Belt Forum penciled down for assassination or frame-up by this administration through the office of the Inspector General of Police conniving with some top government functionaries from the Niger Delta region, including two former governors, who just decamped from PDP to APC.

    “Our intelligence further revealed that some of the people under the government watch-list that would either be assassinated or framed up are: Obong Victor Attah, Dr. Alfred Mulade, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd), Senator Bassey Henshaw, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu and Dr. Isuwa Dogo and others, for attempting to stand against the killings across the country, as well as their stance on restructuring.

    “The recent police action and attempt on the life of the Niger Delta leader is a wakeup call for action.  We cannot continue to watch this continue.

    “We also condemn the statements made by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in respect of ‘the relocation of oil companies’ headquarters to Niger Delta and restructuring of the country’.

    “After extensive deliberation on these issues, we hereby issue an ultimatum that any oil company that fails to relocate its headquarters to the Niger Delta between now and December, 2018, should stop operation and vacate the Niger Delta region or face the consequences.

    “The refusal of the President to sign the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill into law is viewed as an attempt to forcefully control the Niger Delta resources by proxy. And we advise Mr. President to have a rethink on this issue.

     

     

     

  • OML 30 Crisis: Ex-Militants’ protest cause stir at Oil Firm’s Warri Office

    …We Don’t Want foreign Negotiators in Our Land

     

    Hundreds of ex-militants on Tuesday stormed the Warri offices of the operators of OML 30 in Edjeba, threatening unpleasant reactions if the company dares to bring in ‘foreigners’ to take over interfacing for the host communities.

    Tension had increased in the last few days when communities alleged that the operators of the oil mining license, Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), was in the process of replacing the OML 30 Community Development Board (CDB), with a non-governmental organization (NGO).

    But the ex-militants, who claimed to be on a peaceful protest, said the alleged move, if allowed, would derail the peace and smooth run of operations in OML 30, insisting that the oil block, consisting of 111 communities across various ethnic groups, were capable of managing a peaceful relationship with the oil company without the help of any outsider.

    Speaking on behalf of the protesting ex-militants and community youths, the chairman of the third phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Odiri Agas; and a youth leader of OML 30 communities, Comrade Lord Tennyson, said both the youths and the ex-militants had resolved to resist what they described as an intrusion of the peace of their area.

    “We the youths of OML 30, in collaboration with ex-militants phases 1 to 3, have gathered here to protest what we feel will cause trouble in our region here. We, have been enjoying relative peace in OML 30, the youths and the ex-militants have been able together to say there’s no need for us to have any problem in OML30; let production go up, lot government make more income so that they can come back will come back with development for our community and then we will then benefit as youths.

    “This coexistence has been existing, for some time now we’ve not had any problem, there has been peace. If you look well you will see that there has not been any issue of vandalism, but recently there has been this uproar in OML 30 that there’s an NGO that came in that want to take over the leadership of security others from our people.

    “According to them they came to ask us to down our tools and work with them so that things will improve, but we said no, that we are already at peace among ourselves, we are satisfied with the peace we are having now. They have gone into my community, met with the ex-militants that are there and tried to incite them so that they will attack us.

    “They told us of one Judith, a woman from the U.S and of Stephen and Stanley, who are from Rivers, that they came to our own land here to take our surveillance contract, from where the youths and the ex-militants are enjoying little from. The NGO man came, they are from Peaceworks, the two men are working with the American woman. This Peaceworks is an NGO which works with either government or oil companies.

    “When I heard about it, I called a meeting of youth leaders of OML 30, we met with ex-militant leaders and we resolved that we will not allow them to set confusion in OML 30. We then decided to embark on this peaceful protest to Heritage that we don’t need these kind of people in our place. We are capable of protecting our assets that government has put in our area. We don’t want foreigners, we don’t want Peaceworks in OML 30”, the protesters said.

    However, the protest was later dispersed when the Security Manager of HEOSL, Dr Okey Okocha, showed up at the scene of the protest and assured the protesters that their message had been received and promised to take same to the company’s management.

    But in a brief reaction to the development, an official of Academic Associate Peaceworks (AAPW), Stephen Iyama, enumerated the achievements of his organisation’s achievement in peace building in the Niger Delta region.

    “Peaceworks is a notable organization, they facilitated the peace process by establishing the Niger Delta Dialogue which played prominent role as interface between the Niger Delta Avengers  and the federal government. Judy, Stephen and Stanley are known for contributing peace in Niger Delta. Judy facilitated the peace between IJaw and Itsekiri crisis.  Okrika and Eleme crisis.  Asari and Ateke peace.  MEND and federal govt peace. Peaceworks is the home of peace.

    “Last year we made peace between the different cult groups terrorizing Ughelli and its adjoining communities. The peace Ughelli community is enjoying today was facilitated by Peaceworks”, he said..

  • Ex- militants protest in Ondo, threaten to return to creeks over ‘failed’ agreement  

    Ex- militants protest in Ondo, threaten to return to creeks over ‘failed’ agreement  

    Some ex-militant groups in the riverine areas of Ondo State yesterday invaded the Oba-ile, Akure office of the State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) amid wild protest.

    They hinged their grouse on the failure of the state government to fulfill its promise of empowering them after submitting their arms since November last year.

    The protesters set bonfire and blocked  motorists from gaining access to OSOPADEC office, while workers were barred from operating in their offices.

    It took the effort of mobile policemen who shot sporadically into the air to disperse the protesting ex militants before normalcy was restored to the area.

    The militant groups described the amnesty programme organized by the Ondo state government between November 9 and November 21 last year as a sham.

    The militant groups are the United Sea-wolf Avengers, Awaja Camp, Niger Delta Militant Vanguard, Dragon and Lion Camp.

    The groups were led to the OSOPADEC office by their leaders – General Deji Williams (United Sea-wolf Avengers), General Seamaco(Awaja Camp), General Ebiee(Niger Delta Militant Vanguard), General Mayowa (Dragon Camp) and General Bbanju (Lion Camp).

    They started their protest at the OSOPADEC office on Thursday accusing the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi of allegedly allotting slots to his friends, allies and political family.

    According to them, instead of using the amnesty programme to achieve peace in the riverine area, Agboola is using the exercise to build structure for his Senatorial ambition.

    The militants threatened to return to the creeks,  if the state government refused to honor its own part of the agreement.

    They urged President Muhammadu Buhari to send his men to the state so as to ensure that due process is followed and nepotism does not rule over sanity.

    However, the state government described the protesters as ‘’ bunch of disgruntled jobless youth masquerading as ex-militants’’.

    The sate’s Commissioner for Information, Mr .Yemi Olowolabi said the amnesty has not only been lauded in the state, but recommended as model for other Niger Delta states.

    Olowolabi said over 4,000 ex-militants were registered into the amnesty program but the Amnesty Office in Abuja sent 1,000 forms leading to rationing of the forms among the various camps.

    The commissioner said the number of those protesting were insignificant to those who have submitted arms to the amnesty office.

    In his reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO) Femi Joseph said some of the protesting militants have been arrested and would be charged to court after investigations have been concluded.

    He said in spite of the pleadings by the state commissioner of Police, Gbenga Adeyanju who was personally at the scene to make peace with the protesters, they still went ahead with violent destruction of properties and breach of peace.

    Joseph said the police had to use minimum force through smoke to drive them out of OSOPADEC premises when they were becoming a nuisance.

  • Residents flee Ekeremor over alleged beheading of security official

    Residents flee Ekeremor over alleged beheading of security official

    Residents of Ndoro community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa have fled the area following the alleged beheading of a security operative by militants.

    A resident of the community, Mr Henshaw Ebi, told news men on Friday that the security official was negotiating with a militants’ leader in the area to surrender their arms when the incident occurred.

    “The community was thrown into apprehension and people began to flee in droves since Monday when the lifeless body of the ‘security emissary’ was seen in the community without his head.

    “The victim cannot be identified because he is in plain cloth.

    “The fear is that the military might come after those responsible any moment from now and invade the community.

    “The community has been deserted as we speak due to fear of imminent manhunt for the militants behind the dastardly act,’’Ebi said.

    However, Bayelsa Government in a reaction to the development said on Friday that there was no cause for alarm.

    The government called on fleeing members of the community to return home as the situation had been brought under control.

    Read Also: Army urges Ondo militants to surrender remaining weapons

    The Commissioner for information, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the assurance came in the wake of a meeting between Gov. Seriake Dickson, security chiefs, officials of the military high command, leaders and stakeholders of the community.

    The Commissioner said in a statement that the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi also attended the meeting.

    Iworiso-Markson said it was resolved that the military would move into the community and restore normalcy, while the government would begin a peace process.

    He, therefore, called on the people who had fled to return as their safety was now guaranteed.

    He said with the presence of the military in the area they could go about their normal businesses.

    The commissioner said the situation was now under control following government’s quick intervention, and expressed regret over its occurrence.

    He said Gov. Seriake Dickson had met “with very senior security chiefs and the military high command, as well as leaders and key stakeholders to decide on the steps to take and it was agreed that the military will move in to provide the needed peace”.

    “So, we call on all those who have fled the community to return. There is no cause to be scared as government has intervened to ensure that the situation is brought under control,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Military moves to flush out militants, kidnappers from Lagos

    Military moves to flush out militants, kidnappers from Lagos

    The military yesterday launched an exercise codenamed: Jagunlabi, to flush out kidnappers, armed robbers and militants out of Lagos State.

    The exercise, an offshoot of Operation AWATSE,  launched at Majidun in Ikorodu, a Lagos suburb, covers all Lagos backwaters and hinterlands.

    Declaring the exercise open, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Sylvanus Abbah said the military was bent on sustaining the peace achieved within Lagos waters.

    He said the military was aware that most criminals, who operate within Lagos waters, come from the Niger Delta region, adding that a joint operation would be undertaken between Operations AWATSE and Delta Safe to smoke out the miscreants.

    At the launch of the operation were the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Peter Dauke; the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Ibrahim Yahaya; the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Rear Admiral Maurice Eno and other senior officers.

    Gunboats were deployed in the Majidun River bank to patrol Ebute Waterside, Ibeshe and Oworonsoki general area.

    On land, the troops embarked on a show of force to Ikorodu motor park roundabout, Ibeshe junction, Ibeshe Ilaje, Imota and Ishawo before returning to the naval outpost at Majidun.

    Abbah said: “The three arms of the military are pulling resources together to tackle the menace of pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and other criminalities.

    “Operation AWATSE has been ongoing. If you are in Lagos, I think this is the most peaceful festive period you have ever had.

    “We have been working tirelessly. Before now, you know the criminals had been carrying out their nefarious acts on the high seas, which is sea robbery.

    “Although Lagos is a peaceful place, but the criminals come from elsewhere. For instance, the last attack that happened on Lagos waters, we arrested some suspects and all of them are not from Lagos.

    “The five of them, who are in our custody, are not from Lagos but have their accomplices in Lagos who give them information.

    “Lagos is the hub of all activities. Anybody you kidnap in Lagos, you know that ransom can be handsomely paid. So, they plan their operation in Lagos. However, we are not resting on our oars to tackle this.

    “Nobody came around to kidnap during this period. We have to commend the soldiers because they are working very hard to ensure everything is fine.

    “This is a continuous exercise. We care here to meet and interact with the soldiers. We want them to share their problems, and we will address them.

    “Before now, you know Majidun was a no-go area. But as you can see, everybody is feeling happy and operating freely. That is why we want to make all those non-penetrable areas to be safe for everyone to carry out their businesses.

    “This is a military exercise. The essence of this is to make sure we operate peacefully. So, Operation Jagunlabi is a show of force to tell those boys (the militants) wherever they are that we are here for them.

    “This is a joint operation; you cannot do it alone. So, that is why we need air support from the Air Force.”

  • Three feared killed as suspected militants attack community 

    Two Calabar residents were feared killed yesterday, following attack by suspected militants on Anantigha community in the Cross River State capital.

    A resident said the militants came from the creeks and shot a gunboat, which affected houses at Bassey Effiom Street, near Jebs Street.

    He said the area was notorious for bunkering, adding that it was suspected that the militants came to attack the bunkerers they had issues with, who stayed along a beach called Offshore. This, however, could not be confirmed last night.

    The source said: “The militants came from the creeks with a gunboat. They shot sporadically at the beach where the bunkerers stay. The beach is called Offshore. There are houses in the area. The shooting affected people.

    “As I speak with you, two people are dead, others are injured. I hope they will survive. The incident caused confusion. Nobody expected such a thing on a Sunday morning. We ran helter-skelter.”

    The Nation learnt the militants escaped through the creeks in their boat.

    13 Brigade spokesman Cpt. Kayode Owolabi said they got information about the incident and deployed their men to repel the attack.

    He said one of them was killed and a pump action rifle recovered.

    Owolabi said the body had been handed over to the police, adding that others escaped through the creeks.

  • Amnesty: Epe kidnappers surrender arms in Ondo

    Amnesty: Epe kidnappers surrender arms in Ondo

    Militants terrorising parts of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states have finally submitted their arms and ammunition on Monday evening to embrace the federal government amnesty programme.

    The militants were behind the kidnap of the six Senior Secondary School Students of Lagos Model College,Igbonla, Epe in Lagos state, Arepo pipeline vandalization and several attacks in the riverine areas of Ondo State.

    The militants were led by their leader, Ogailo Iborry Young a.k.a O.C to the Collection and Documentation of Arms Centre in their hometown, Ajapa Community in Ese-Odo local government area of the state.

    They willingly dropped their arms and ammunition.

    The event, witnessed by the Deputy Governor and Chairman of State Amnesty Committee, Agboola Ajayi, representatives of Delta State Government, Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base, Igbokoda, Navy Captain Usman Yahaya among others was seen by the residents as a way of restoring peace into the riverine area.

    Some arms submitted include: Browning wz machine gun, Daewoo K3, Colt Automatic Rifles, General Purpose Machine gun, Breda 30, Fiat Revelli Modelling, AK 47 Rifles,  Rocket Launcher, CETME Ameli,  Heckler & Koch MG4, Pump Action and some Automatic Cartridges.

    Also, military uniforms, police bullet proof vests, dynamites grenades, bombs and helmets were submitted.

    In his address, Iborry Young appreciated the state and the federal government for the fresh Amnesty initiative.

    He traced the source of their arms to the Ijaw/Ilaje crisis of 1998/1999 and blamed on joblessness, poverty and neglect by government.

    He said “if we may be asked our reasons for embarking on this struggle, our simple assertion to the public and other concerned authorities is that it is joblessness, suffering, poverty, oppression and neglect by the Government”

    The leader of the repentant armed bandits said they decided to dump their oil bunkering business and hatched another game plan to attract the attention of the government.

    According to him, “as it got to this point, we did not find life very easy. Thus, we relocated to Ogun State where the government college Ugbonla, Epe School boys were kidnapped whose release led to the present arrangement through the courageous efforts of the deputy governors of Ondo and Delta states.

    “We did not kidnap these boys for mere ransom but to negotiate our freedom and full reintegration to civil life”.

    Ajayi said the exercise was impressive as sophisticated ammunitions were surrendered.

    Ajayi assured the readiness of the federal government to fulfil its own promise in providing employment and education programme among others for the repentant militants for them to be self-reliant if they embrace peace.

    He rejoiced with residents of Ajapa community for the peace that finally restored to the community after face-off between them and military.

    While urging them to always embrace peace to reign, the Deputy Governor said they need to embrace peace for Oil Company to commence operation in the area.

    Ajayi allayed fear as no one or government will launch attack on the oil producing areas of the state after the submission of arms and ammunitions by the armed youths.

    Also speaking, Navy Captain Yahaya, said the exercise in Ajapa community was more impressive in relation to the record of the exercise since it has started.

    Five militant groups, the Awaja, Ogoolorunyo led by Job, Ebie, Dragon and Atupa camps had earlier submitted their arms and ammunition to embrace amnesty programme.

  • Repentant Militants surrender massive arms, weapons in Ondo.

    Repentant Militants surrender massive arms, weapons in Ondo.

    Militants in the riverine area of Ondo state, who embraced the amnesty programme of the Federal government in the state have trooped out in large number to surrender their arms and ammunition.

    The exercise which started on Thursday has recorded massive turn out of militants in the five collation centers including Igbekebo, Arogbo, Igbonla, Ajapa, and Igbokoda, all in the southern senatorial district of the state.

    Men of the Nigeria Army, the Navy , Police, and civil defence as well as representatives of each militant camp are present at the collation centers to ensure only authentic militants benefit from the program.

    Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the militants to submit their arms in the area.

    The amnesty program was part of the requests made by the kidnappers of the six students of Igbonla Model School, Epe Lagos state.

    The government of Ondo state who played a major role in securing the release of the students promised to facilitate the amnesty program.

    Deputy governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi who took the risk to effect the release and safety of the students is the Chairman of the amnesty program in the state.

    Already, the repentant militants have been submitting their arms which included pump action, Dane guns, live ammunitions, locally made artillery weapons among others.

    Ajayi, shortly after touring two of the collections  points in Igbokoda and Igbekebo on Friday said he was delighted with the level of turnout of the repentant armed youths who came out from creeks to submit their weapons to embrace the amnesty of the Federal Government.

    He called on those in the hideout to utilize the window of opportunity offered  by the government, adding that whoever fail to utilize the opportunity would be dealt with by the Federal Government.

    The Commanding Officer of the Nigeria Navy Forward Operation Base, lgbokoda, Navy Captain Chindo Usman Yahaya, described the turnout as impressive.

    The Commander however said that it would be difficult to ascertain the number of weapons submitted since the commencement of the disarmament process.

    One of the repentant commander of the armed youths, Osipapa Take Lion, lauded the federal and the Ondo state governments for the privilege given to them to lay down their arms.