Ijaw leaders query offer of amnesty

Ahead of President Umaru Yar'Adua's expected state visit to Bayelsa on Friday, some Ijaw leaders have queried the offer of amnesty to Niger Delta militants, pointing attention to section 175 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution.

According to them: "there has been no conviction against any of the alleged militants to warrant the granting of amnesty." The leaders also called on Mr. Yar'Adua to make public, the list of those allegedly perpetrating illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta.

The Ijaw Elders and Leaders Forum also said on Wednesday that it stood by its earlier position that the continued presence of the Joint Military Taskforce (JTF) in the region was aiding illegal bunkering activities.

In a nine-point communiqué signed by Edwin Clark and 11 others at the end of the forum's meeting at Kiagbodo, Delta State,

the Ijaw leaders said the demilitarisation of the region was critical and essential for any meaningful dialogue towards the promotion of peace in the area.

"The fundamental purpose of the crisis in Ijaw land and, by extension, the Niger Delta, must not be glossed over, on the basis of perceived criminal acts by some disgruntled and frustrated youths," the forum said. It reiterated its strong disapproval of criminal activities associated with kidnapping and hijacking for ransom, stressing that recent developments in the country had confirmed the elders' belief, and that there now exists criminal elements in other parts of the country. "Today, we have more cases of kidnapping in other parts of the country than the Niger Delta.

This further emphasises the need to separate genuine agitators for their rights (economic and political freedom) from core criminals in the Niger Delta crisis," it added. The forum noted that that seven months after the submission of the report of the Technical Committee on Niger Delta, the Federal Government had taken no concrete step to implement any of its recommendations.

It commended Mr Yar'Adua for his commitment and pledge to grant amnesty to militants in the Niger Delta. Ijaw leaders who attended the meeting include Omar Idaoboloijah, Ibiba Braide, M. A. Opueje,

Francis Doukpola, T.K.O. Okorotie and Clement Bebenimibo.