Militant in Niger Delta

Col. Enang Ukagu, the Joint Task Force (JTF) Sector 1 Commander, in Effurun, Delta, has decried the alleged security threat by some ex-militants in the area. Ukagu told newsmen that those involved were ex-militants, who refused to embrace the Federal Government’s Amnesty programmed. These militants did not submit their weapons before the expiry of the amnesty and now want amnesty phase 3.“Those, who are supposed to be termed criminals for possessing firearms are now holding meetings; threatening oil facilities.” Ukagu said they laid siege on the entrance of Osubi Airport a fortnight ago in their agitation for government recognition but JTF soldiers dispersed them.He said that the activities of such people were causing concern for JTF but added that generally, crime was on the decrease in the state. Ukagu said that going by reported cases, apart from the few cases of sea pirates, the rate of oil theft, militancy and other vices, such as kidnapping and robbery, had drastically reduced in the state. He said his office was devising a plan that would check the menace of sea pirates so that people would have the confidence of going into the creeks to do their businesses. Commenting on the recent warning strike by oil sector workers in Warri over security concerns, Ukagu said the strike was unfair to the security agencies.