Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State

A coalition of militant groups in Ondo State has accused politicians and traditional rulers in the state of hijacking the Amnesty programme by allocating the slots to their allies, wards and friends.

The militant groups are The United Sea-wolf Avengers, The Awaja Camp, The Niger Delta Militant Vanguard, The Dragon and Lion Camp.

The groups made the allegation in Lagos on Thursday in a statement signed by their leaders – General Deji Williams (United Sea-wolf Avengers), General Seamaco(Awaja Camp), General Ebiee(Niger Delta Militant Vanguard), General Mayowa (Dragon Camp) and General Bbanju (Lion Camp).

The Ondo State Government and the Presidential Amnesty Committee, had on Nov. 9, 2017, enrolled some ex-militants in the riverine communities in the state who were willing to submit their arms into the programme.

The state government gave the former militants 21-day grace to submit their arms to the state Amnesty committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi.

But the coalition said scores of its members were neglected and were not enrolled into the Amnesty programme in the state.

“The coalition of GENERALS in the just concluded Federal Government and Ondo State Amnesty Programme wish to let the world and Amnesty International know that the amnesty programme slots are being shared among politicians and traditional rulers in Ondo State.

“The 2009 Amnesty programme was not for political patronage. The then government didn’t consider Amnesty slots to any political, religious and traditional leader,’’ they stated.

The group appealed to the Special Adviser to the President and Coordinator of Amnesty Programme, retired Gen. Paul Boroh and Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo to intervene in the allocation of slots to politicians and traditional rulers in the state.

“Sequel to the pledge made to us by the executive governor of the state at the flag-off of the programme on Nov. 9, 2017 in Akure that every member of each camp that surrendered their arms and ammunition would be fully integrated into the programme.

“Having submitted our arms, it came to our knowledge that the state amnesty committee and the concerned stakeholders involved have resolved to adopt the use of slot in the integration exercise for the programme.

“This was not included in the consensus reached with amnesty committee headed by the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr Agboola Ajayi, in our various camps in the creek.

“We view this as a deliberate affront to our plights and express our deepest disappointment at the manner with which the amnesty programme is being handled by the purported stakeholders.

“We want to inform the President Muhammadu Buhari that if our consensual position in the Amnesty programme is not duly honoured, we would not hesitate to return to the creek.

“The implication is that we will place a restriction on the installation of any platform by Chevron, Conoil, ExxonMobil, pipeline and other oil companies granted concessionary right working in our region,’’ the militants said.

The coalition said that every member of the various camps that were captured in the amnesty programme should be integrated and their stipends must be paid in arrears.

They equally advised oil companies operating in the region to “stay clear of the region for now.’’

The militants said they had lost confidence in the state Amnesty committee.

The militants also threatened to stage a peaceful protest at the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) office in Oba-Ile, Akure.