Military
uniforms, police bullet proof vests, dynamites, bombs, helmets and
other incriminating materials were submitted by militants in Ondo State
in exchange for amnesty.
Some the weapons
Dreaded militants operating in parts of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states
have finally submitted their arms and ammunition to embraced the
federal government’s amnesty programme in Ondo State.
The militants, are 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
in the south west.
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
where they willingly dropped their arms and ammunition.
The funfare event, witnessed by the Deputy Governor and Chairman of
State Amnesty Committee, Hon. 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.
Arms submitted included : 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 ,
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.
In his words, ”if we may be asked our reasons for embarking on
this struggle, our simple asseveration 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.
“Looking at the sophisticated guns and ammunitions surrendered, I’m
happy that they ( militants) made promise and fulfilled it.” he said
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 is more impressive in relation to the record of the exercise
since it has started.
Earlier, about five militant groups, the Awaja, Ogoolorunyo led by
Job, Ebie, Dragon and Atupa camps submitted their arms and ammunition
and embraced amnesty programme.
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