Amnesty: Militants laud Buhari, Akeredolu

A militant group in Ondo State, the United Sea Wolf Avenger, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for incorporating militants in the state into the Federal Government Amnesty programme.

The group, in a statement by its leaders, General Deji Ehinmowo and General Secretary, Akinfemi Raymond, appealed to the Federal Government not to extend its Amnesty programmes

The state Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu,had on Nov. 9, during the proclamation of Amnesty armed youths issued a 21-day ultimatum to ex-militants in the state to surrender their arms.

The group also commended Akeredolu for his commitment to the Amnesty programme and the development of the riverine community of the state.

It appealed to the governor not to extend the Amnesty programme, claiming that the “21 days window’’ was enough to the militants in the various camps to surrender their arms.

“Following the 21 days ultimatum for the submission of arms by militants in the riverine area of Ondo State which ended on Nov. 30, the United Sea Wolf Avenger appeal to the governor not to extend the date because people have turned the exercise to trade.

“It is regrettable that people who cannot handle ordinary cutlass have suddenly become militants through the amnesty window.

“Twenty-one days is more than enough to move arms from camps to submission centres within the state.

“The truth is that anybody that is complaining of time should be asked, what had he doing for 21 days. Most camp leaders that are complaining now waste their time looking for arms to purchase to fortify their newly born camp.

“Further extension will make a mockery of the whole exercise and also belittle the brilliant flag off speech of Mr Governor, that after 21 days; anybody found with arms will be dealt with according to the law.

“The real militants have already submitted their arms and captured, those left behind are amnesty traders, those that pay N100,000 and above to camp leaders,’’ it said.

The group equally commended the Amnesty committee headed by the state Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi, “for the diligent way it handled the programme.’’