Ex-militants from the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Thursday took to the streets to protest against their exclusion from the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme since 2017.
The protesters, representing different camps including the United Sea-wolf Avengers, Awaja Camp, Forest Soldiers, Big-fish Camp, Ogoloto Camp, Niger Delta Vanguard Camp, Aluma Camp, Ofaran Camp, and six others, expressed displeasure over their non-integration into the programme, despite promises made by the government.
The leader of the protesters, Deji Ehinmowo, while speaking during the demonstrations, urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and ensure their inclusion in the Amnesty Programme without interference from the state government.
“All we want is to be incorporated without any intermediary, either from the state government or anyone else, because we have already surrendered our arms and ammunition,”;; Ehinmowo stated.
According to him, since surrendering their weapons and embracing peace under the amnesty initiative, they have faced neglect, despite complying with all terms set by the government.
Ehinmowo further gave details of the types of weapons surrendered, including sophisticated arms like Fiat Revelli Model guns, Colt Automatic rifles, Sango Scorpions, Dynamite Bitter explosives, bombs, and grenades, along with over 400 pumping-action shotguns and military uniforms.
“We did this amnesty simply because the federal government called us to do so, and we obeyed. But since then, up till this moment, the government is yet to fulfill its promises,”;; he added.
He lamented that the group had written several letters to security agencies, the state government, and the federal government with no positive response.
He warned that the ex-militants might be forced to take drastic measures if the situation remains unresolved.
Ehinmowo called on President Tinubu to intervene directly, emphasizing that they do not want political leaders hijacking the programme.
He also reiterated that the 2017 Amnesty Programme included 4,300 participants from 14 recognized groups in Ilaje LGA and others in Ese-Odo, all of whom have been neglected since then.
