Rampaging ex-militants took to the streets in Benin City disrupting traffic on the Lagos/Benin express way
Written by Citizen Reporter-Aderemi Phillips
Monday, 22 March 2010 09:51




Movement was totally restricted as motorist and pedestrians were prevented from moving. Residents and motorist between Uselu and the University of Benin axis where at a standstill as the dare devil militants took over major junction from Uwasota, Federal Girls college road and Adolo junction. The militants armed with various dangerous weapons like Rods, Planks, and Bottles.

One of the militant took time to enlighten the frustrated onlookers that the protest was not against them but the federal government whom they accused of reneging on the Amnesty deal . He boasted that he and his colleagues are not paid after they have dropped their weapon to embrace the Amnesty of the Yar’Adua lead governments deal that put a stop to the restive region late last year. He lambasted the government whom he accused of abandoning them after they gave up violence to embrace peace. Promises that they are battle ready to go back to the creeks if the government don’t attend to their legitimate claim immediately.

Heavily armed Anti-Riot Policemen in squadrons took defensive positions to curb any escalation as the militants refused all entreaties to go back to their temporary camp on Federal road. The Police lead by an assistant Commissioner of Police called for reinforcement but watch helplessly as motorist and pedestrians watched helplessly as the militants held sway. The state Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomole’s convoy was forced to come and held for more than 30minutes before he got passage and they move towards the Ex-militant’s camp along the federal Girls college road. The incident has held the ancient city of Benin hostage for over six hours with the civil authorities unable to clear the rampaging ex-militants.

By 14:35pm, the situation was still charged movement in and out of the city was impossible. The police however did the seemingly impossible by clearing the road without any violence and with only two teargas canisters fired. They surprised onlookers who know them for incompetence, corruption, and constant harassment of the civil populace with some level of decorum and professionalism. They engaged the militants in dialogues and persuasion to clear out the roads after a show of power and even presence of the State’s commissioner of police and the highly respected formal national labour president now Governor of the ancient city Comrade Adams Oshiomole failed to disperse the restive youths.

Normalcy of movement in and out of Benin is now unhindered after over six and a half-hour hold-up.





Aderemi Phillips

Writes from the Faculty of Arts, University of Benin,

Benin City.


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