Ex-militants still carry arms in N’Delta, monarch alleges

Olu of Igbokoda in Ondo State, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, on Sunday raised the alarm that many former Niger Delta  militants, especially those in Ondo State, still carried arms freely.

He, therefore, urged the federal and Ondo State governments, to dismantle the boys, who he alleged had formed various task forces.

He particularly accused a group, the Mahin Task Force, of being behind all manner of criminality in Ilaje local government of the state.

The monarch stated this in a statement by his counsel, Mr. Jiti Ogunye.

Ogunye alleged that the group masterminded the attacks on the monarch, the destruction of his palace, and his detention over an allegation of murder.

He said, “A realistic and systematic disarmament of ex- militants in Ijaw and Ilaje areas of Ondo State, remained a prerequisite for the restoration of peace and termination of the current   pervasive lawlessness, arson, rape and murder in Igbokoda.

He noted that despite an earlier attack on the monarch three years ago, “the same group recently swooped on students of some schools participating in an inter-college sports competitions in  Igbokoda”.

Ogunye added, “They attacked and raped some girls, leading to the arrest of two of the suspects.”

“Igbokoda has been seized by the jugular by the task force peopled by youths, who failed to turn in their weapons after the Ijaw-Ilaje conflict, but have since turned such weapons against the town, committing various atrocities”

He said fresh crisis erupted in the area when another monarch petitioned the police, accusing Odidiomo of  killing Prince Titiola Lebi and demanding his deposition.

He, however said the police detained his client and eight others but later released them because of lack of evidence.

Ogunye added, “But this same persons were not satisfied, rather they escalated the matter by petitioning the Inspector-General of Police, asking  that the matter be investigated afresh. Hence the Oba and his chiefs who had earlier be released, were taken to Abuja for another round of investigation.”

PUNCH