Stop them in Lokoja by all means. When ACN fans going to show solidarity with Tinubu were turned away some applauded the actions of the FG. Now it is the militants turned away from going to Abuja to protest against the non-payment of their resettlement allowance. Well what is good for the Goose is good for the gander. Who is next to be 'ambushed' in Lokoja?


http://saharareporters.com/news-page/joint-task-force-and-ex-militants-clash-lokoja

Joint Task Force And Ex-Militants Clash In Lokoja
Posted: December 8, 2011 - 13:25


A set of heavily armed police and soldiers attacked a convoy of former Niger Delta militants in the confluence town of Lokoja in Kogi state earlier today.

A variety of ex-militants numbering 6,000 were traveling in convoy of buses to the federal capital territory, Abuja to protest non-payment of allowances allocated for their resettlement.

To prevent them from reaching Abuja a combined team of police and army units stopped the group shooting indiscriminately and critically injuring some three people.

There was a total logjam on the Lokoja-Abuja highway as travelers park their vehicles to escape the shooting leaving their vehicles on the highway.

Fresh Air

~Bluetooth:

Fresh Air

, and Goodluck 222 naija lils

~Bluetooth:

Fresh Air

My brother, when ACN fans had their fundamental human rights breached ,via how they were stopped from going to Abuja, the usual blind apologists of GEJ and the FG justified that action by saying those folks were "thugs" who had no business in Abuja. Well, I wonder what they have to say now. If we back abuse of power we are inadvertently planning to be affected by such dictatorial behaviour. Who will they prevent next from going to Abuja? ordinary Nigerians going to march against subsidy removal ?

Gbawe:

My brother, when ACN fans had their fundamental human rights breached ,via how they were stopped from going to Abuja, the usual blind apologists of GEJ and the FG justified that action by saying those folks were "thugs" who had no business in Abuja. Well, I wonder what they have to say now.

^
. . ."thugs" who had no business in Abuja is what I think they will say.

You sound like a man who is bitter. What's going on?

7 years and 5 months more for Gbawe to continue his bitterness campaign!!

How does this article make any sense!!

First there is no link. Second, how do 6000 people travel in a convoy It would take at least 500 14 seater buses to make that trip!! Utilize your imagination for a moment and picture 500 toyota hiace buses moving from maybe Port Harcourt to Abuja Now imagine these 500 buses been stopped at Lokoja and picture the massive gridlock that would ensure!!

Sometimes the love for propaganda beclouds the capacity for basic reasoning!!

PapaBrowne:

How does this article make any sense!!

First there is no link. Second, how do 6000 people travel in a convoy It would take at least 500 14 seater buses to make that trip!! Utilize your imagination for a moment and picture 500 toyota hiace buses moving from maybe Port Harcourt to Abuja Now imagine these 500 buses been stopped at Lokoja and picture the massive gridlock that would ensure!!

Sometimes the love for propaganda beclouds the capacity for basic reasoning!!

Creative thinking !

PapaBrowne:

7 years and 5 months more for Gbawe to continue his bitterness campaign!!

How does this article make any sense!!

First there is no link. Second, how do 6000 people travel in a convoy It would take at least 500 14 seater buses to make that trip!! Utilize your imagination for a moment and picture 500 toyota hiace buses moving from maybe Port Harcourt to Abuja  Now imagine these 500 buses been stopped at Lokoja and picture the massive gridlock that would ensure!!

Sometimes the love for propaganda beclouds the capacity for basic reasoning!!

Oga spin and spell, you have already added 4 more years , from 2015, for GEJ when your oga has empatically stated he will not run in 2015 ? Anyway, deceit, duplicity and double-speak are some of the defining qaulities of GEJ and his fans like yourself. We see how your oga is dropping 'bombs' daily on Nigerians he never spoke about while campaigning i.e "leaner government not possible", tenure elongation, NNPC to turn around refienries within 2 years, fuel subsidy, etc, etc. Yet you prefer to believe others are bitter towards him. Well, a duplicitous nature will do that to one's mind.

Sometimes the love for propaganda beclouds the capacity for basic reasoning!!

Dude, keep your insult to yourself. It dose not cut it with me. Even if certain aspect of the article is not correct is that enough reason to assume this did not happen and men of the armed forces did not prevent former militants from reaching Abuja? The substantive point rabidly pro-GEJ fans like yourself (to the point of "spinning and spelling" for Mr. president) miss is that this is beginning to happen regularly now. That should worry anyone concerned about government respecting the fundamental rights of Nigerians.

lexicon:

Creative thinking !

What is "creative" about his thinking? Aside the fact I have now put a link up, all your "creative" friend had to do was google the title of the article and the link will come up Voila !!! He is not even "creative" enough to do that. Instead he prefered to create doubt as per authencity by dubiously inferring that a source lacking is premise to discredit the article. Very pedestrian attempt by him to play detective also . If I tell you the UN building in Abuja was bombed and 200 died , when the actual figure was 30, does that render everything else false to the extent folks can assume the UN building was not bombed? This is not algorithm my friend. Embellishment cannot be used , by any sensible person, like equational logic, to establish wrong or right. That is what your "creative" friend just did.

Whats the point of this argument exactly?

BCuZiMBlaCk:

Whats the point of this argument exactly?

It is that we should all speak up consistently and unanimously against abuse of power by the Government.

The substantive point rabidly pro-GEJ fans like yourself (to the point of "spinning and spelling" for Mr. president) miss is that this is beginning to happen regularly now. That should worry anyone concerned about government respecting the fundamental rights of Nigerians.

and we see it below.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/11/sylva-flays-arrest-detention-of-supporters/

Sylva flays arrest, detention of supporters
On November 29, 2011 · In News

By Samuel Oyadongha
Yenagoa — Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State, yesterday, condemned the arrest and unlawful detention of 70 of his supporters in Lokoja, Kogi State.

The governor’s supporters were intercepted about 5.00pm on Sunday on their way to Abuja to show solidarity with the governor at the hearing of the case on tenure for five Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors at the Supreme Court, scheduled for yesterday.

Governor Sylva, in a statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Doifie Ola, said: “Our constitution allows for freedom of movement as well as freedom of association for every Nigerian.

“This is another in the series of recent happenings by agents of the Federal Government to trample democracy in the face and truncate the rights of Bayelsa people to freely decide their political future.”

He described the arrest as a sad reminder of Nigeria’s dark days of military rule. The governor, however, pleaded with all his supporters to remain calm and law abiding in the face of undue provocation.

“The will of God through the people of Bayelsa State shall surely prevail in the evolving political imbroglio in the state,” he added.

Comprising mainly PDP Ward chairmen, the supporters were travelling in six buses and a car. They were arrested and taken to Police ‘A’ Division headquarters in Lokoja where they were detained and escorted to Okene to embark on a return journey to Bayelsa State, yesterday morning.

Intelligence report

A security source said they had intelligence report that the governor’s supporters were heading to Abuja to protest against the just-concluded Bayelsa State PDP primaries.

However, one of those detained, who identified himself as Ebiowei, dismissed the claim.

He said: “Our explanation that we were travelling to Abuja to show solidarity with our governor at the hearing of the case on tenure for five PDP governors fell on deaf ears. They took us to Police A Division at Lokoja.

“We were detained till the next day and escorted back by armed policemen to Kogi State border with Edo.”

Some people go wound cos of politics of bitterness. All politicians are rogues be it pdp acn cpc etc.

Don't let this politicians deceive and divide us like the colonial masters did. let unite and fight a common enemy.

The way Nigeria government is tackling and address some violence and terrorist issue at the moment can encourage many more factions. The government need to show some kind of bitter example to this type of issue to serve as deterrent to others. Moreover providing adequate security for the people should be an urgent issue to address.

PapaBrowne:

7 years and 5 months more for Gbawe to continue his bitterness campaign!!

How does this article make any sense!!

First there is no link. Second, how do 6000 people travel in a convoy It would take at least 500 14 seater buses to make that trip!! Utilize your imagination for a moment and picture 500 toyota hiace buses moving from maybe Port Harcourt to Abuja Now imagine these 500 buses been stopped at Lokoja and picture the massive gridlock that would ensure!!

Sometimes the love for propaganda beclouds the capacity for basic reasoning!!

i agree with u, it's just an exaggeration but the fact remains that, they came in up to 100 buses. As for this one, believe it or not, that's the fact.

aletheia:

^
. . ."thugs" who had no business in Abuja is what I think they will say.

You sound like a man who is bitter. What's going on?

My brother, give me some credit. I may not particularly be fond of GEJ but this is not about him. It is about abuse of power that breaches the funamental human rights of Nigerians. They are now constantly stopping any group , through Lokoja, who wish to go into Abuja to protest against the FG or show solidarity for anyone opposing the FG. How is that a good development and what brings "bitterness" into this? Are you not a Nigerian? Is my point lost on you? Even If we think everyone criticising the Government does so out of bitterness then we should still minimally inspect what they are saying and comment on that . That is how citizens do it in other Nations to the extent their nation became great.

crackhouse:

i agree with u, it's just an exaggeration[b] but the fact remains that, they came in up to 100 buses. As for this one, believe it or not, that's the fact.[/b]

Indeed. Of course there may be embellishment but does that make the story false? The simple answer is no.

PapaBrowne:


Sometimes the love for propaganda beclouds the capacity for basic reasoning!!

Most times i wonder how people think/react about issues.
I don't care if you for or against the present government, but imagine yourself as the president of this great nation and you were informed of 6000 people coming into the state capital to protest with a formal approval from the right authority - police.
Would you just sit there and be looking until things get out of hand?
Meanwhile, these people are formal militants you don't know what they are carrying into the state capital and the nature of their protest - peaceful or violent.
Any right thinking person would have to checkmate.

don't allow your hatred for something becloud your judgement.

catso:

Most times i wonder how people think/react about issues.
I don't care if you for or against the present government, but imagine yourself as the president of this great nation and you were informed of 6000 people coming into the state capital to protest with a formal approval from the right authority - police.
Would you just sit there and be looking until things get out of hand?
Meanwhile, these people are formal militants you don't know what they are carrying into the state capital and the nature of their protest - peaceful or violent.
Any right thinking person would have to checkmate.

don't allow your hatred for something becloud your judgement.

I always say Nairaland is a forum of 'alternative thinkers'. Below is some of the comments on saharareporters that provides balance (for and against) we never seem to see on this forum because folks are too worked up about personalities to see what is obvious.

The boys got rights
Submitted by Felix abayomi (not verified) on December 8, 2011 - 14:03.

What's up with lokaja? Official GEJ toll gate to abuja. The boys have got right of freedom of movement and right to protest among other rights. The goverment entered into an agreement with them. GEJ should pay his brothers. Haven't he been benefiting from the peace in the niger delta. The rest of us in nigeria still have something to live by and that is why we are complacent. These boys have nothing. Nothing.

Nigerian gov't why all this
Submitted by aleeyou (not verified) on December 8, 2011 - 18:35.

it is base on agreement between the MEND and F.G you didn't pay them and you expect them to stay it's unfair.Nigerian govt consider this people they are citizen of the country.

shakara oloje ni
Submitted by sultanofsokoto on December 8, 2011 - 14:31.

The freedom fighters should not allow themselves intimidated by the security forces. I don't see where the problem is here, if it was agreed to pay them a certain amount, in a particular period of time, then pay them and stop transfering the monies made in their communities up north to feed some mallams who at the end of the day don't even appreciate the free ride. Tell me, who's enviroment is being depleted on a daily bases? The golden eggs are being laid in and on  their land they have the right to even demand more. Dumbo call your dogs back or you will have everything explode in your face! It is their constitutional right to demonstrate.

Dear niger deltans
Submitted by Pumpy (not verified) on December 8, 2011 - 18:02.

Pres jonathan these boys u r treating like dis had agreement with u and they have fulfil their own sides by droping all their weapon which is their working tools now they are asking of wot belongs to them u want to kill them all d whole world is watching dis not issue of delta state mandate

Nigeria Army
Submitted by Odafe Odafe (not verified) on December 8, 2011 - 17:13.

The Nigerians army and Police cannot face bokoharamu, but they can disturb Delta State citizens; boys and girls that are asking for their promised wages as compensation from revenue gotten from Oil loots.

GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE HONOURABLE
Submitted by AnonymousAJIDELE (not verified) on December 8, 2011 - 15:25.

JONATHAN SHOULD PAY IF THES PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PROMISED WE HAVE ENOUGH OF DISTRACTIONS ALREADY WE DONT HAVE TO HEAT UP THE POLITY end of story.

My relation that left Abuja in the morning for somewhere called me this evening around 5:15pm and said he was still in the traffic jam. He said, the people that were there before them said the problem started very early in the morning, around 2:00am.

.....

greateros:

Y are all these posters supporting abuse of power by government of GEJ?? Right of protest is a basic human right guaranteed under the Nigerian constitution and under the international human rights charter!

They may be 100 person of 1m persons the fact still remains that they have the right to visit abuja and protest!

WHAT!!!

This comment fully certified this poster as a major threat to democracy! with people like you as GEJ advisers, i now understand y he makes all the wrong decisions!

My brother, God bless you OOO !!! They say we are "bitter" messengers. Can they at least inspect and comment on the message as reponsible citizens awake to their civic duties? The fact is that this is happening too much lately and the NPF is now being used to deny Nigerians their fundamental rights. Those who speak here attacking me simply have no adult concept of how it could you or me tomorrow !!! Go to other Nigerian forums and discussion blogs, you will see they have varied and balanced perspectives . It is only nairaland many will prefer attacking and witchhunting individuals instead of facing the serious issue under discussion .

Gbawe:

My brother, God bless you OOO !!! They say we are "bitter" messengers. Can they at least inspect and comment on the message as reponsible citizens awake to their civic duties? The fact is that this is happening too much lately and the NPF is now being used to deny Nigerians their fundamental rights. those who speak here attacking me simply have no adult concept of how it could you or me tomorrow !!! Go to other Nigerian forums and discussion blogs, you will see they have varied and balanced perspectives . It is only nairaland many will prefer attacking and witchhunting individuals instead of facing the serious issue under discussion .

I am Voodoo Doll of NairaLand and I endorse this message!

god help dis country.

only a foolish chief executive will allow such insurgent invasion into his domain. if that order was given by GEJ then, he is 100 percent correct. what are they protesting. if nigeria was organised will criminals be paid salaries for dropping weapon? the world is in economic crises. various governments are seeking wways to cut cost. hear in nigeria we are looking for how to remove  fuel subsidy and some criminals are protesting non payment of salary. well any body who knows GEJ should tell him to be strong and do the right thing at all times not minding whose Azsz may be at stake.

Nigerians can't continue like this. i still can't forgive the millitary coz the had ALL that was needed to put this country on the right track but they misused it. my point is GEJ do the right thing, fuurk any one who says no. even if its Dame. P. after all, there is no democracy in heaven.

Lokoja is being turn to a Berlin wall town, the trend is dangerous for the country, one day those coming from Abuja will be prevented from travelling southwards. What if the ACN states of Ekiti,Osun,Oyo, blocks those coming from Abuja to pass through their states?

The traffic is really crazy. My dad got stuck at Lokoja b4 d bridge around 10.am dis mornin n he is still stuck dia; Time check now 9.55pm. Na wa for dis country ooo. Haba!!!

PapaBrowne:

7 years and 5 months more for Gbawe to continue his bitterness campaign!!

How does this article make any sense!!

First there is no link. Second, how do 6000 people travel in a convoy It would take at least 500 14 seater buses to make that trip!! Utilize your imagination for a moment and picture 500 toyota hiace buses moving from maybe Port Harcourt to Abuja Now imagine these 500 buses been stopped at Lokoja and picture the massive gridlock that would ensure!!

Sometimes the love for propaganda beclouds the capacity for basic reasoning!!

it was a massive gridlock! I left abuja 7am, just broke out into lokoja 10.07pm. D lokoja brigde ws besieged by d militant since 1am. So imagine! This is naija, where d unimaginable happens. We defy logic in dis country.

Aladinn:

it was a massive gridlock! I left abuja 7am, just broke out into lokoja 10.07pm. D lokoja brigde ws besieged by d militant since 1am. So imagine! This is naija, where d unimaginable happens. We defy logic in dis country.

Sleekjd:

The traffic is really crazy. My dad got stuck at Lokoja b4 d bridge around 10.am dis mornin n he is still stuck dia; Time check now 9.55pm. Na wa for dis country ooo. Haba!!!

No thoughts at all as per the disruption to the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Just keep 'oga' , by any means' from being embarrased by his own people!!! I thank you honest Nigerians for your 'on the ground' contributions. Otherwise deceitful "spin and spellers" like Papabrowne would have the world believe we are "bitter" folks  spreading lies against  his messiah who is a saint everyone is conspiring against.

GEJ and co need to read the constitution as Reno Omokri keeps crowing on Twitter!

So are groups of people from the Niger Delta going to be discriminated against, and prevented from associating and moving around the Federal Republic Of Nigeria?

Nigerian Constitution - Fundamental Rights:

Fundamental Rights

33. Right to life.
34. Right to dignity of human persons.
35. Right to personal liberty.
36. Right to fair hearing.
37. Right to private and family life.
38. Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
39. Right to freedom of expression and the press.
40. Right to peaceful assembly and association.
41. Right to freedom of movement.
42. Right to freedom from discrimination.

Source: http://www.nigeria-law.org/ConstitutionOfTheFederalRepublicOfNigeria.htm

GEJ is a total failure.

If the militants  are criminals that must not be allowed access to Abuja, the right thing to do is to arrest and prosecute them. But to now turn Lokoja to Abuja embassy where you must secure visa before you enter Abuja is totally uncalled  for and can only come from the likes of GEJ whose government is a failure anyway. Why is GEJ being silly? Who told him Abuja residents can not start protesting against him?

It was ACN supporters sometimes past. It was Sylva friends just of recent. It is militants today. More worrisome is the simple deductive fact that it could be you or me  tomorrow! and no reason will be given other than you have no business being in Abuja!

ABUJA
is the federal capital territory of the federal republic of Nigeria.
Not a place for misguided protests.
Soldiers have the mandate to quel any movement that could degenerate to unrest in the FCT.

moderatorr:

ABUJA
is the federal capital territory of the federal republic of Nigeria.
Not a place for misguided protests.
Soldiers have the mandate to quel any movement that could degenerate to unrest in the FCT.

This is type of post that makes Nigerian case doomed forever. Did you think before writing this junk?