FG Warns Niger Delta Militants
..Says no Extension of Amnesty Deadline

The Federal Government has said it would not extend the October 4 deadline given to Niger Delta Militants to surrender their arms and embrace the amnesty programme The Minister of Defence, Retired Maj-Gen. Godwin Abbe made this known to state House Correspondents shortly after the meeting of the Presidential Committee on Amnesty in Abuja. Federal Government said that the programme terminates on the 4th of October and there will be no extension. This was the outcome of the meeting between President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and the Presidential committee on Niger Delta amnesty which lasted over two hours. Also at the meeting was the vice president, Dr. Goodluck Joanthan, Governor Timiprie 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, Ogbona Onovo, Presidential aides on Niger Delta, Timi Alaibe, Ministers of Niger Delta Ministry, Ufot Ekaette and Godsday Orubebe amongst others.

Briefing journalists at the meeting, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Niger Delta amnesty, Major Gen. Godwin Abe (rtd) said that there cannot be discussion with the militants while they are carrying weapons. He also warned the Movement for the Emancipation of the 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 Abe said the government is resolute in its plan to execute the amnesty programme to the letter.

"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 on in the last couples of hours and reviewing the amnesty programme and after looking at the various aspect of the programme, we have now come out with the conclusion that all the militants who have embraced the amnesty deserves commendations 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 aspect of the rehabilitation and reintegration of all those who have embrace amnesty," he said. 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 recognize the group as the spokesperson for the militants. He therefore warned that if they choose to test the might of the Federal Government, the government is prepared to defend the sovereignty of Nigeria in all its ramifications.

"MEND is not recognized by the Federal Government as the spokesperson for the militants that are if they exist at all physically. MEND cannot choose for the Nigeria nation, if MEND decides to test the will of government and choose to threaten the very existent of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the government is prepared to express the sovereignty of Nigeria in all its ramifications," he said. 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 that "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, Abe 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 this camps they will be categorized 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 also added that "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."

Aku Young, Abuja

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