From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, AKure
About 20 members of various militant groups terrorising Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states have surrendered their arms, in line with the amnesty programme introduced by the Ondo State Government.
Some of the militants were said to be behind the kidnap of six students of Lagos Model College, Igbonla, Epe, and the Arepo pipeline vandalisation, all in Lagos State.
The militants, led by their leader, Ogailo Iborry Young, willingly surrendered their arms to Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, at Ajapa, in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.
The arms submitted included Browning wz machine gun, Daewoo K3, Colt automatic rifles, General purpose machine gun, Breda 30, Fiat Revelli modelling, AK 47 rifles, Rocket launcher, CETME Ameli, Heckler and Koch MG4, Pump Action and some Automatic Cartridges.
Also, military uniforms, police bullet proof vests, dynamites, grenades, bombs and helmets were submitted.
Speaking at the ceremony attended by representatives of the Delta State Government and military personnel, Young thanked the state and federal governments for the amnesty.
He traced the source of their arms to the Ijaw/Ilaje crisis of 1998/1999.
Young then disclosed that joblessness, poverty and neglect by government were main reasons they formed the militant group.
“If asked our reasons for embarking on this struggle, our simple answer is that it was joblessness, suffering, poverty, oppression and neglect by government.
“We did not kidnap these boys for mere ransom but to negotiate our freedom and full reintegration to civil life.”
Leader of the repentant armed bandits said they decided to dump their illegal oil bunkering business and hatched another game plan to attract the attention of government.
In his remarks, the deputy governor said the exercise was impressive as sophisticated ammunitions were surrendered.
“Looking at the sophisticated guns and ammunitions surrendered, I am happy that they promised and fulfilled it,” he said.
Ajayi assured of the readiness of the federal government to fulfil its promise in providing employment and education for former militants in the Niger Delta.
He also allayed fears among the people of the coastal part of the state, and stressed that government will not launch attack on oil-producing areas after submission of arms and ammunition by the armed youths.