Niger-Delta Ex-militants in Imo state went berserk yesterday as they halted free-flow of traffic for over an hour along Bank Road and Assumpta in Owerri.
The ex-militants under the aegis of Third Phase Amnesty Group called on the Federal Government to stop forthwith marginalization and discrimination being perpetrated against Ex-Amnesty youths from Ohaji/Egbema LGA by the verification committee of the Federal Government.
According to leader of the group, Mr Andrew Edwin, spokesman of the ex-militants, the Third Phase ex-Amnesty group from the state held a meeting last year with Hon. Kingsley Kuku, the SA to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Area where a verification committee was set up to visit the Niger Delta areas and verify the quantity and quality of ammunition surrendered by the youths.
He continued by saying that right now the Committee which is headed by Air Vice Marshal James Gwem has visited Delta State and is at Bayelsa state carrying their verification exercise, while just last year Hon Kuku was quoted by a national newspaper, saying the verification Committee will only visit the South-South zone excluding Imo State.
He stated that they are calling on the team to visit Imo State and give them their own share of the Third Phase Amnesty like in other Niger Delta States, maintaining that Amnesty matter should not be regionalized because Ohaji/Egbema in Imo State which is also a Niger Delta Area has been in its struggle for long.
When asked if the member representing Orlu Senatorial Zone in the National House of Assembly, Senator Hope Uzodimma is aware of the matter, Mr Edwin explained that they are yet to communicate to him. A petition has been forwarded to Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha (Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives) who also comes from Imo state and that he assured them of a favourable response.
He also revealed that the State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha has been furnished with the same letter through the office of SA on Niger Delta Area.
