Abbe warns militants not to test govt’s might

The Federal Government yesterday closed all possibilities of extending the grace period granted militants in the Niger Delta to embrace peace.

It said by October 4 when the amnesty ends, there will be no extension.

This was the decision at a meeting between President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and the Presidential committee on Niger Delta amnesty.

Also at the meeting were Vice President, Goodluck Joanthan, Governors Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa, Liyel Imoke of Cross River, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Adam Oshiomhole of Edo, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom, Deputy Governor of Rivers Tele Ikuru, the Inspector-General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo, presidential aide on Niger Delta Timi Alaibe, Ministers of Niger Delta Ministry Ufot Ekaette and Godsday Orubebe, amongst others.

After the meeting, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Niger Delta amnesty, Major Gen. Godwin Abbe (rtd), told reporters that there cannot be talks with the militants while they are carrying weapons.

He warned the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) against testing the might of the government, noting that the government is prepared to express the sovereignty of Nigeria in all its ramifications.

Gen Abbe also said that the government was resolute in its plan to execute the amnesty to the letter.

He said: "As you notice, Mr. President and the vice president, the governors of Niger Delta Region, Ministers of Niger Delta Ministry, myself and other senior government officials have been deliberating in the last couple of hours and reviewing the amnesty programme and after looking at the various aspects of the programme, we have now come out with the conclusion that all the militants who have embraced the amnesty deserve commendation as patriots of this country, and to believe that between now and 4th of October, if there are other militants who are still in doubt as to the sincerity of government to make use of this opportunity by embracing the amnesty because after 4th of October the amnesty terminates; there will be no extension. Government is firm, is resolute and government will continue with subsequent aspects of the rehabilitation and reintegration of all those who have embraced amnesty."

On whether the government will consider MEND’s condition that they will only listen to their choice envoy, Gen Abe said that the government does not recognise the group as the spokesperson for the militants.

He warned that if they chose to test the might of the Federal Government, the government would defend the sovereignty of Nigeria in all its ramifications.

His words: "MEND is not recognised by the Federal Government as the spokesperson for the militants that are, if they exist at all physically. MEND can not choose for the Nigeria nation, if MEND decides to test the will of government and choose to threaten the very existence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the government is prepared to express the sovereignty of Nigeria in all its ramifications."

He also said that MEND’s demand for the full implementation of the presidential committee on Niger Delta report is an expression of democratic right; adding: "The amnesty was granted unconditionally and they are expected to accept it unconditionally. What is important is that they cannot be discussing with government while they are carrying weapons. It is illegal and they have no right to bear arms."

On what to expect after 4th October, Gen. Abbe said: "Government is going to pay attention to all the militants who have embraced amnesty. They are going to be put together in various camps that have been designated and in these camps they will be categorised and personal contacts will be established with each of them after thorough documentation and their choice of training and settlement will also be identified."

He added: "Government is willing to train them and to join them in any rehabilitation effort that will bring about their going into life as normal citizens without resorting to militancy."