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Amnesty International Seeks US Help to Disarm Dikibo

Vanguard (Lagos)
NEWS
October 25, 2004
Posted to the web October 26, 2004

By Emma Amaize
Warri
AMNESTY International Nigeria, Group 17, weekend, asked the United States of
America to immediately broker talks on the development of the Niger Delta and
the disarmament plans of the warlords in the region before the problem gets out
of hand.
Amnesty International in a statement, signed by its Secretary-General, Mr. John
Lar-Wisa said it was "highly impressed to learn that the Rivers State Governor,
Dr. Peter Odili has, in the spirit of true reconciliation offered to buy the
3,000 AK-47 rifles owned by one of the belligerent groups in the state."
Recalling that President Olusegun Obasanjo met, Septemeber 29, in the nation's
capital with the two warlords and the fact that these groups were empowered by
people now in government during election times, the group hailed the monetary
offer in exchange for the guns as a fruitful disarmament strategy.
But it queried why a whopping N750 million of the peoples' money would be
expended for "one silly mistake made by some people who had sought political
office at all cost," adding that, " they never had the peoples' mandate,
neither are they being consulted before spending this money. However, as a
contract sum, what percentage the awarding officer gets is not the concern of
Amnesty International.
"Amnesty International Nigeria believes strongly that if Asari Dokubo is paid
this sum of money, the other group led by Ateke Tom will surely return to ask
for his; failure which the people should expect another period of gun battle.
Government finds no harm in disbursing this token; after all, it is public fund
and is readily available.
"One basic question bothers this organization: At one time, government declared
these men wanted and at another they are provided with presidential jet with
full protection to Aso Rock for presidential discussion, where discussants
exchange pleasantries like: you know me, you also know my temperament, we met
five times.
"Amnesty International is particularly urging the Delta state government, which
has similar warlords in its domain to employ such strategies if necessary to
resolve the crises of this state. We envisage that the warring youths of this
state are watching closely how these recent groups are remunerated for taking
arms against each other. It would be recalled that Amnesty International had
postulated in the past that the so-called warlords in Delta state are not
aliens to the state governor or shall we say government. But they have hitherto
been shielded and treated as sacred cows.
"It is customary that Amnesty International opposes the use of arms or any form
of violence in demanding for one's right; therefore, Nigeria, Group 17
challenges Asari Dokubo and Ateke Tom and their followers and supporters to
voluntarily surrender their arms, without asking for any form of rewards, and
adopt a more civilized and lawful method of demanding for their rights, which
are more dignified and rewarding; if they were truly fighting for resource
control and autonomy for the region", Lar-Wisa stated.

   

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