Ex-Militant Leaders Meet Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday assured ex-militants that the Federal Government was committed to the implementation of the amnesty programme and total transformation of the region.

Jonathan said this when he received the ex-militants who visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on solidarity over the October 1 twin-bomb blasts in Abuja.

The president, who received the former militants alongside Vice-President Namadi Sambo, said the “little hitches’’ hampering the implementation of the programme would be resolved very soon.

Jonathan said: “I sincerely appreciate your coming to tell, not only Nigerians, but the world what you stand for.

“As somebody who is also from the Niger Delta, I have a fair knowledge of the oil industry and the evolution of the Niger Delta issues.

“ I want to plead with you that even though like most programmes, we might have hitches, but I want to assure you that the government is actually committed.

“‘By God’s grace, most of these little hitches will be resolved.”

The president wondered why anyone would choose the jubilee celebration of the nation to express misgivings, if at all there was any.

He said the visit by the group had further confirmed the position that it was not a militant group, MEND, that was the mastermind of the attack, but a terrorist group sponsored from outside the country.

“I am happy that you are here because I am from there and I know all the actors and leadership of MEND.

“I am happy that you have told Nigerians and the rest of the world that it is not MEND that did it,’’ he said.

Jonathan said the bomb incident had “opened the eyes of the government’’ on how to improve on security network to forestall future recurrence.

“He thanked the ex-militants for their pledge to work with government to expose the perpetrators of the blasts.

“I want to thank you for coming to reassure us and pledge with the government to help it unearth some of these issues,’’ he said.

Our correspondent reports that the ex-militants numbering more than 90, in one voice dissociated themselves from the bombing.

They also promised to work with the Federal Government to fish out those who were the mastermind of the dastardly act.

The group also noted that the name “Gbomo Jomo’’ is a pseudo name that did not exist and could be used by anybody that has access to the group’s password.

Notable ex-militant leaders in attendance include Alhaji Mujahedeen Asari Dokubo, Chief Government Ekpomolo (Tompolo) and Ebikabowe Victor (Boyloaf).

Ateke Tom, Comrade Fara Dagogo, Shoot At Sight, Eberi Papa and Buster Ryme were also in attendance.

Boyloaf told the audience that MEND was not responsible for the condemnable act.

“We have disarmed. We say so to the world, these people claiming that they are MEND are impersonating.

“It is a terrorist act. The people responsible for the act should be dealt with accordingly,” he said.

Tompolo, who is the overall Commander of MEND, corroborated Boyloaf that MEND was not responsible for the act.

“I am the leader of MEND. We are not part of the incident of October 1. MEND is not involved. I am the owner of MEND.

“We are going to work with you to save this country for everyone,” he said.

The President of Ijaw Youth Council, Kuromiema Mabiye, who led the group, described the act as “dastardly irresponsible and morally reprehensible’’.

Alhaji Mahajeed Asari Dokubo, the Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, described the action as heinous and condemnable.

He denied the involvement of any of the genuine agitators from the region in the incident.