From Isaac Job, Uyo
Former militants under the aegis of Ukanafun Freedom Fighters have stormed the headquarters of Ukanafun Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State to protest against the Federal Government over non-implementation of amnesty deal negotiated with government in 2009.
The protesters numbering 200 barricaded the main entrance to the council secretariat, Ikot Akpan Nkuk, yesterday, chanting war songs and carried different placards with inscriptions such as: “Akwa Ibom Is Part of Niger Delta and Nigeria; Give us our right, FG; Why have you abandoned us for 15 years, Amnesty Office, “Give us our rights, Amnesty office has not been fair to us in Akwa Ibom, We are not criminals, We are freedom fighters and FG: Please settle us as promised, among others.
The former militant leader, Udom Ebetor, told journalists that the Federal Government failed to keep to the promise it made to them in the course of facilitating amnesty in oil producing communities since 2009.
“The promise that we will be self-reliant is not realistic. Government never kept her words when they said we will be trained and empowered to become economically self dependent.
“All the ex-militants from Akwa Ibom axis were seen as strangers by other militants from a certain tribe and marginalized by some officials in the amnesty office.
“In 2009, I led other militants under the umbrella of the Supreme Council of Niger Delta States (SUCOND) to surrender arms.
“I told the FG that over 500 of our members were still in the bush because they were not sure of the sincerity of the government in the amnesty deal.”
Ebetor lamented over what he described as marginalisation of former militants from Akwa Ibom by officials of the amnesty office and urged the FG to investigate before it gets out of hand in the coming days.
“While others are benefitting, some of our leaders at the local and state level are busy talking, while their people are suffering. This protest serves as a call to the FG to do the needful before the issue escalates.”