The Nation
13 October 2011
Former militants in the Niger Delta’s third phase of Amnesty have claimed responsibility over recent explosions in some oil installations in Bayelsa State
They said their action was in protest of the non-inclusion of their names in the amnesty programme of the government.
The former militants were apparently reacting to a statement by the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Amnesty, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, that there wouldn’t be a third phase of amnesty and that anyone caught breaching the peace and agitating for a third phase of amnesty would be treated as a criminal.
In a statement in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, by Chairman of the ex-militants, Gen. Kaithy Sese (aka Nomukeme) and the Secretary, Gen. Tonye Bobo (aka Sir T), the ex-militants said: “We, the agitators of the third phase of Federal Government Amnesty Programme, hereby claim responsibility for the recent attacks on oil facilities in Bayela State.
“As we had warned, if relevant authorities refuse to do something urgent about our plight and frustration, and having complied with the directives of peaceful disarmament process, we would bring down the crude oil production in Nigeria’s Delta Region.”
Areas attacked by the former militants include Agip Main Link Pipeline in Southern Ijaw area; Tereke Obama Flow Station, also operated by Agip and Shell’s Well Head linking Bayelsa and Rivers states.
The ex-militants warned that they would continue their agitation for proper documentation, rehabilitation, re-integration and empowerment, which have been extended to other militants in the region.
“Nigerians should not underrate our commitment to this struggle for equity, justice and rapid development of the Niger Delta region,” the statement added.
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