Groups Back Amnesty

Two pressure groups, Niger Delta Nationalities Forum and Ijaw Renaissance Front, have appealed to the militants to embrace the amnesty offered by President Umaru Yar’Adua.

In a joint statement in Lagos, the groups clarified that the acceptance of the offer was not a sign of cowardice on the part of the targets.

The leader of the forum, Mr. Manijar Seigha and his counterpart in the Ijaw Mr. Ebi said the idea of military was the brain child of all the Niger Deltans following the Kaima declaration.

They said the kidnap of oil workers and disruption of oil flow were pre-determined to draw attention to the plight of the oppressed zone.

“Rather than acknowledge the plight of the militant agitators, the federal government decided to send security personnel with arms to shoot at the militants. Those who kidnapped the expatriates also released them with ransom, but were blacklisted for arrest,” they lamented.

Thanking the President for his maturity, the spokesmen said the onus was now on the militants to avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the amnesty.

“We appeal to MEND to lay down their arms. We believe the government has learnt a lesson and will act fast to address the issue of neglect” they added.