S'South Leaders, Ex-militants Back Govs on Regional Security Outfit

Stakeholders in the Niger Delta region, including former militants, under the aegis of ‘Leaders and Stakeholders’, have resolved to back the regional security outfit to stem killings in the region which they alleged were being perpetrated by herdsmen.

They also frowned at the current status of the amnesty programme which they protested had been handed over to non-Niger Deltans in the guise of forming an interim committee to run it which they want immediately reversed.

The meeting which was convened at the palace of King Ateke Tom at Okochiri, Okrika in Rivers State on Monday evening ended on the early hours of Tuesday.

According to one of the participants, the stakeholders deliberated on critical issues affecting the region, and expressed dismay that things were no longer working in the interest of the South southerners.

In a communique issued after the meeting, the stakeholders said: "At meeting of Leaders and Stakeholders from the Niger Delta region, a number of critical issues affecting the interest of the Niger Delta were extensively discussed. These included the presidential amnesty programme, South-South zonal security, and unity among ethnic nationalities in the region.

"At the end of the deliberations, the meeting condemned the appointment of non-Niger Deltans in the guise of an interim committee at the helm of affairs in the Presidential Amnesty Office. The present arrangement is an unacceptable aberration and should be reversed with the appointment of a critical stakeholder in the affairs of the Niger Delta region.

"We totally reject any foreign invasion of our lands and communities by migrant herdsmen. As a result, we frown at the killings of our Niger Delta sons and daughters at Uwherun and Abraka in Delta State; Oben in Edo State and other communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

"We support the position of the South-South Governors’ Forum as it affects regional security. We therefore urge them not to relent in their efforts to keep the region safe and secure."

Those at the meeting were Ateke, T.K. Ogoriba, Chief Oyeinfie Jonjon, Marshal Kunoun, Chief Dan Ekpebide, Kennedy Orubebe, Deo Doupere Kalsuo, Cooler Hart, Tamunotonye Ayo, Hon Famous Daunemigha,  Sgt Weri N Digifa, Selekaye Victor Ben among many others.