Ex-Militants Block East-West Road

Vehicular movement on the ever busy East/West road was halted for about three hours yesterday as ex-militants who were protesting their non-inclusion in the amnesty programme blocked the road.

Our correspondent reports that the ex-militants blocked the Mbiama axis of the road as early as 5.30am halting vehicular movement from the Port Harcourt axis to the Delta State axis of the road.

Vehicles could also not move into and out of Yenagoa because of the blockade while the famous Mbiama Tuesday market was disrupted because of gun shots around the scene.

The ex-militants were said to be protesting their non-inclusion in the amnesty programme, being the fourth batch who surrendered arms and ammunition.

The situation was tense as gun shots were heard from Igbogene, a border town between Rivers and Bayelsa States.

Our source reports that commuters trapped in the confusion were sending text messages to loved ones not to follow that path or to stay wherever they might be to avoid being caught in the demonstration.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Joint Military Taskforce (JTF), Lt. Col. Timothy Antigha, confirmed the incident on telephone.

He said: “We are aware that they are holding a peaceful demonstration to press home their demands. I am certain that the situation has been resolved because our men have been sent there to stop it from escalating into a crisis.”

Vehicles commuting from Port Harcourt to Lagos and other parts of the country, were halted while some had to go through Owerri via Elele to continue their journey.