Ex-militants ground traffic over unpaid dues

Niger Delta militants, who renounced violence during the Federal Government sponsored amnesty programme, disrupted traffic and commercial activities in Delta State on Tuesday over unpaid allowances.

The tension in the usually peaceful Osubi Community of Okpe Local Government Area of the state was palpable as the protesting ex-militants barricaded the very busy Osubi-Eku road.

They demanded the payment of their two months allowances, which they alleged had been diverted by the management of the amnesty programme.

The demonstrators, who expressed frustration at the turn of events, stationed a lorry loaded with bags of cement across the road, thereby causing severe vehicular traffic hold-up.

The residents of the area quickly locked their houses and shops even as policemen at the trade fair centre looked on helplessly at the protesters, who were not willing to speak to reporters.

But a resident of the area, craved anonymity, explained that the ex-militants had been residing in a hotel in the area, adding that they barricaded the road during rush hour to drive home their message that they had been abandoned by the authorities.

The security operatives, who stormed the scene, were helpless as the rioters threw pebbles and sticks at them, causing them to beat a retreat.

Our correspondent, who visited the scene of the demonstration, observed that two armoured personnel carriers had been stationed at the place to disperse the protesters.

It was learnt that when the security agents initially deployed could not withstand the demonstrators, the authorities immediately. It was the arrival of the armoured vehicles that eventually made the ex-militants beat a retreat.

Traffic flow was restored by soldiers later as the object of obstruction was pulled away from the road.

The details of the ex-militants’ grouse that took part in the protest could not be ascertained as they were visibly angered by the non-payment of their allowances and were not willing to speak with anybody.




http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201109284454485

Black ppl in America expected things to change for them when Obama was elected.

Deltans prolly felt the same way with GEJ.

LMAO!! Eyah e pele o, my ppl. That's what happens when you send your prodigal village imbe cile to Aso-rock.

Millitants are now becoming more powerful than the police and even the Nigerian state!!

What message are we passing to jobless graduates if militants are being-paid allowances for doing nothing?

splitnaija:

What message are we passing to jobless graduates if militants are being-paid allowances for doing nothing?

If you want something from the government, form a renegade militant group and terrorize innocent civilians,

The problem of Nigeria is BOKO HARAM of the North and BOKO of Haram of south south a.k.a MEND.bloody terrorists !

This country is chewing more than he can bite.
Imagine what will happen if the next president is not interested in amnesty programme.

splitnaija:

What message are we passing to jobless graduates if militants are being-paid allowances for doing nothing?

u don't have 2 depend on the govt. solely, r u 4rm an oil producing state/community?
Better rethink as a graduate.

sylve11:

u don't have 2 depend on the govt. solely, r u 4rm an oil producing state/community?
Better rethink as a graduate.

u are rite my brother, the problem with Nigeria is over dependent on Government for evrything, we lack efficient private private sector. its high time the citizens of this country stop depending on the govt for job, but start creating jobs for your selfs, period,

Given these people money in form of allowance may come to be a mistake in the future

There's something I don't understand here. Will the govt pay there touts for the rest of their lives? Or there is a limit/time frame for the payments?

J12:

There's something I don't understand here. Will the govt pay there touts for the rest of their lives? Or there is a limit/time frame for the payments?

Yes 65k for the rest of their lives while the educated youths suffer.

soneztrade:

u are rite my brother, the problem with Nigeria is over dependent on Government for evrything, we lack efficient private private sector. its high time the citizens of this country stop depending on the govt for job, but start creating jobs for your selfs, period,

I reason with you Sir, but my Question Sir is how would it be possible for a person operating or producing a job on his own while the resources in his possession wouldn't even take care of his daily needs? Why shouldn't the Government in the beginning provide an avenue to that paramount, before expecting dudes to be on their own? Think well friend.

I observed that your brain is mentally ok.

Greenslim:

Given these people money in form of allowance may come to be a mistake in the future

[b][Quote author=soneztrade on Today at 10:27:18 AM
u are rite my brother, the problem with Nigeria is over dependent on Government for evrything, we lack efficient private private sector. its high time the citizens of this country stop depending on the govt for job, [b]but start creating jobs for your selfs, period[/quote][/b][/b]

You're dead right!!!

In the spirit of creating jobs for themselves, Egbesu boys and MEND have now taken it upon themselves to protect the President from further humiliation by Boko Haram bombers who are also on the payroll of some Northern elites.

Unemployment will soon be a thing of the past in Naija when OPC, MASSOB and others follow suite

There's something I don't understand here. Will the govt pay there touts for the rest of their lives? Or there is a limit/time frame for the payments?

The amnesty is a programme, and it has an end. After their training, it is believed that the ex-militants will be able to fend for themselves. Some are doing that already.

(Given these people money in form of allowance may come to be a mistake in the future)


it is already a mistake.

doxime:

(Given these people money in form of allowance may come to be a mistake in the future)


it is already a mistake.

I guess so too. The problem govts in this country usually have is there is no idea that is critically though of. Giving this people money without working is an idea that is not sustainable and one thing that is certain is that if you just abruptly stop the payment, what you are explicitly asking for is TROUBLE.
I only hope that the trouble has not started already.

1) Once a criminal, always a criminal. Amnesty or not
2) Once a militant, always a militant. Amnesty or not.
Since 1 = 2
Then,

Criminals = Militants. _qed

Is only in Nigeria that a criminals have a salary and even protest if the Government refused to pay on time.

I dey laff at Retardeens brothers

Amnesty programme doesn't seem to have reformed these street gun-wielding thugs