Post Amnesty Package: Citizens Urge Quick Action

As militants in the Niger Delta states of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Ondo State continued to turn in their arms and ammunition to beat the amnesty deadline, mixed reactions have greeted the move across the area with many calling on government to expeditiously  execute the post-amnesty package.

Some citizen, who spoke to The Tide on the development expressed happiness that Ateke Tom, leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante heeded the federal government call to embrace the amnesty declared by President Yar’Adua as part of the process of settling the Niger Delta issue.

The president had a few  months ago declared unconditional amnesty for militants in the region who renounced violence for peace. The 60 day amnesty period expired yesterday, October 4.

Other militant chiefs who beat the deadline include, Farah Dagogo and Government, alias Tompolo and others who surrendered their weapons in the designated centres across the region.

However, a businessman in Rivers State, who spoke on condition of anonymity urged the federal government not to  renege on its part toward the fulfilling of the post amnesty package for the repentant militants.

Citing the recent report in Bayelsa State, where the repentant militants took to the streets to protest their alleged abandonment by the government , he suggested that government should step-up action on skills training for them, or raise funds for those with skills to start business of their own.

On his part, a clergyman, Rev Obiola Duru enjoined government to show more seriousness and transparency in tackling the Niger Delta underdevelopment.

According to him, the level of deprivation of the region is  unjustifiable in view of the resources of the area which has been deployed for the development of other regions.

He also urged the government to go ahead and disarm other ethnic militants across the country in order to safeguard lives and property all over the country.

But a muslim scholar, Mallam Abdulahi Dan Sokoto who spoke to The Tide on phone urged the  government to be sincere in its handling of the post amnesty package for the ex-militants to stern the tide of criminality in the area.