Cleric predicts bloody clashes among militants in 2008

Sylvester Idowu, Warri - 02.01.2008

A religious leader in Delta State, Evangelist Samson Mamamu, has warned against the proliferation of militant camps in the Niger Delta, predicting bloody clashes among them in 2008.

He said the development could unleash a fresh inter and intra-tribal conflicts among the various ethnic groups in the region and advised politicians to stop using the militants for their selfish means.

Evangelist Mamamu, who is the President, International Evangelist of God’s Ministry International Inc, while speaking at the end of the church's Feast of Ingathering held at New Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, predicted bloody clashes over tuff control and supremacy contests among the warlords in 2008 if the situation is not checked.

“Militant groups in the Niger Delta are sternly advised to check themselves as militarisation would soon cause many crises (ethnic and communal) within the Niger Delta region in the new year,” he said and advised politicians to desist from using militants in prosecuting their personal agenda.

He added that such actions were encouraging the proliferation of militant camps in the region. The religious leader also cautioned the Federal Government and the oil firms operating in the region against undue use of oil fund to influence militant groups as this practice also encourages armed conflicts.