Rampaging Ex-militants Invade Delta Govt House, Hold Deputy Governor, Others Hostage

SAN FRANCISCO, December 24, (THEWILL) – Hundreds of rampaging ex-militants on Tuesday threw caution to the winds as they invaded the Delta State Government House annex in Warri, forcing the state Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama, and his entourage to stay inside the premises for six hours even when they were due to leave the premises.

The ex-militants, who defied the presence of soldiers of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and other security agencies, had blocked the entrance of the Government House and disallowed Utuama, who was due to leave the office from going out.

THEWILL learnt that the Deputy Governor was forced back into his office for close to six hours but was eventually allowed to leave after security agencies in their large number came to disperse the protesters.

Local sources said the deputy governor and his entourage were partially held hostage for the number of hours the rampaging ex-militants held sway at the Government House.

Although the media assistant to the deputy Governor, Mr. Austin Avwode, couldn't be reached immediately for comment as his mobile line was unavailable, one of the security details attached to the deputy governor said that Utuama was highly embarrassed by the invasion and blockage.

The ex-militants who were chanting war songs, had surged the Government House around 1pm, protesting the delay in payment of their monthly N65,000 stipend even when it was discovered that the Amnesty Office had, a few days ago, paid them their November stipends.

An eyewitness said the ex-militants who took laws into their hands had insisted that they will not allow the deputy governor out of the premises until N1 million is paid on each vehicle on the deputy governor's convoy.

“According to the ex-militants, they were not being treated well by the government now that Christmas is around the corner and there is nothing to take care of their families but government was sending cows, bags of rice and millions of naira to politicians.”

“They are also complaining and accusing government of insensitivity and accused Mr. Kingsley Kuku who is in charge of the Amnesty programme of amassing wealth to their detriment and called for his resignation with immediate effect,” the witness said.

THEWILL recalls that the ex-militants had last week barricaded the East/West road as well as the Delta State Oil Commission, DESOPADEC, for several hours protesting the non-payment of their monthly allowances.

When contacted via telephone, the Head, Media and Publicity of Amnesty Office, Daniel Alabrah, condemned in strong terms the action of the ex-militants, saying it is very unfortunate that they are now abusing the privileges given to them by the Federal Government.

He said the Amnesty Office was not owing the ex-militants, disclosing that they were, a few days ago, paid their November stipends and wonder why they have to take the laws into their hands by blocking the Government House.