Militants offer to restore peace in N\Delta

Bolaji Ogundele, Port Harcourt - 13.01.2008

Alarmed by the recent turn of events in Rivers State and the breakdown of the negotiation between the Federal Government and other militant groups in the Niger Delta region, a known militant group in the region, the Grand Alliance of the Niger Delta (GAND), has offered to wade into the situation and restore peace.

The group also said it had resolved to go after its former Secretary, Prince Amachree, also known as Commander Ebiye, who resigned from the group last year December following controversies involving former president of the group, who was expelled on allegations of criminality.

The Grand Alliance, in a communiqué signed and circulated in Port Harcourt yesterday by its President, General Prekoly Iwo and his Vice President, Comrade Taribo West, noted that militant operations in Rivers State and the entire region was already backfiring.

Promising to support the government of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, “to any extent” because of its laudable developmental programme, the group urged the governor to consult on the best approach to getting rid of gangsterism and criminality in the state.

The group then pledged to mediate in the ongoing face-off, particularly to prevail on Tom Ateke and other groups in the region to surrender their arms , on the condition that the government would respect terms of the agreement and would be transparent.

“Military might is not the best approach to the problems, we are dealing with human beings here who are our brothers.. Why did they join such criminal groups? What is the strength of these groups (what makes them powerful)?

“Government should consult and device a means of eradicating the vices. Force should only be the last resort. It is only when appropriate and genuine avenues have been explored and failed that force could be applied”, the group advised.

While it observed that leaving the current state of affairs to continue for ten more years could wreck the region, the group said that it has decided to return the state back to the track of progress and development.

While it commended the governor for constituting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it noted that this would only give results in an atmosphere of peace and conflict resolution.

“What do we want as Niger Deltans? How do we go about it? These are pertinent questions that must be answered. The answers to these questions will actually help in directing the various groups in the struggle to be streamlined. Individual goals must not be attached to the struggle and criminality must be avoided.

“Nevertheless, there is an individual whom, because of his exposure, commitment, dedication and know-how can actually help in resolving the problems of the Niger Delta if given a freehand”, the group assured.