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Dokubo Surrenders 100 Guns

P.M. News (Lagos)
NEWS
October 28, 2004
Posted to the web October 28, 2004

By Okafor Ofiebor
Port Harcourt
The leader of Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF), Dokubo Asari, yesterday
handed over 100 guns to the Federal Government Special Committee on Disarmament
headed by the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili.
Dokubo Asari confirmed to P.M.News in an exclusive interview on phone this
morning that he cannot say the exact number of guns he handed over.
"About one hundred and something guns which I got from our various locations
were handed over yesterday," he said this morning.
Asked whether money was involved, he said "yes, they had to pay for the street
value of each gun submitted. This is the practise all over the world when there
is disarment process. Besides, the guns were bought with money. Of course,
money was involved." Pressed to state the "street value" of each gun, he said:
"That is why you are a journalist, go and find out how much one rifle costs."
He further disclosed that he was going to 2 Amphibious Brigade, Bori Camp,
Barracks to formally present the guns to the Committee on Disarmament in the
Niger Delta.
"The truth is that I handed over all the guns yesterday while the formal
presentation will take place at the Amphibious Brigade Barracks." Mr. Fred
Alasia had told TheNEWS magazine in an exclusive interview in the current
edition that the Rivers State government had jettisoned the policy of guns-for-
cash "because the boys would spend the money carelessly. You don't give huge
sums of money to those who don't have the antecedents of managing money well,"
Fred Alasia, the Chief of Staff to Governor Odili had said.
Ateke Tom similarly handed over guns to the same committee two weeks ago in
Bori Camp.

   

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