FG Disarms 20,192 Former N’Delta Militants

The transformational training on non-violence for 20,192 ex-militants at the post- amnesty camp at Obubra, Cross River State, has been concluded.

Our correspondent reports that the demobilisation and graduation of the last batch (Batch 17) of the first phase of the programme was rounded off last Saturday at the camp.

Addressing trainees at the passing-out parade, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of State for Niger-Delta, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi, promised to stamp out insecurity in all parts of the country.

“Let me use this opportunity to reiterate that insecurity in any part of the country affects sustainable development in every other part of the country. This government is determined and poised to stamp out insecurity in all parts of the country.

“ It is when we live in peace as a great and united nation that we can feed our teeming people, tackle unemployment and confront head on infrastructural challenges.

“‘We shall not relent until every part of Nigeria is rid of restiveness and other challenges of insecurity,” the President said, adding that the programme had succeeded beyond expectations.

“I make bold to say that after today’s event, our great country, Nigeria, will be entering the annals of history books as one of the few countries in the world that achieved a successful closure to the disarmament and demobilisation phases of its disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programme,’’ he said.

He observed that the historic proclamation of amnesty for the ex-agitators in the Niger Delta by late President Umaru Yar’Adua on June 25, 2009 was “greeted with much criticisms and outright skepticism’’.

“We, however, adhered to the core essence of the amnesty proclamation which was to stabilise, consolidate and sustain security conditions in the Niger Delta as a prerequisite for promoting economic development in the area in particular and the nation as a whole,’’ the President said.

Also speaking at the occasion, Mr Kingsley Kuku, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger-Delta and coordinator of the programme, also noted that the scheme had succeeded.