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Dokubo Surrenders 188 Guns to Panel

Daily Champion (Lagos)
NEWS
October 29, 2004
Posted to the web October 29, 2004

By TONY ITA ETIM
Port Harcourt
LEADER of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahid
Dokubo Asari has surrendered 188 guns to the Niger Delta Disarmament Committee
headed by Governor Peter Odili.
Though the militant Ijaw leader was present at the handing-over ceremony which
took place at the 2 Amphibious Brigade, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, it was the
NDPVF Eastern Region Commander, Mr. Richman Yinbiri, that formally handed over
the weapons to Governor Odili.
Yinbiri, in a terse statement, yesterday, said: "On behalf of the volunteer
people, I formally surrender these 188 guns and ammunition to the committee."
Receiving the weapons, Governor Odili thanked Dokubo -Asari and his team for
the arms they returned.
Odili said handing over the weapons is a sure way of laying a solid foundation
for peace, and pointed out that the government and people of the state will be
appreciative of the gesture towards the return of total peace, normalcy and
calm to the entire Niger Delta Region.
He appealed to the public and those who have information about any arms
anywhere in the communities, to come forward and surrender them voluntarily to
the committee.
Last week, leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Group, Mr. Ateke Tom turned in
about 600 rifles to Odili at the same venue.
Speaking with newsmen after the event, Odili said government has declared total
war on illegal sale of crude oil along the creeks.
He admonished the culprits to realise that it was no longer business as usual.
Odili appealed to foreign countries who exchanged arms with crude oil, to the
illegal bunkerers, to co-operate with government in the new drive to curb
illegal weapons entering into the country.
Such countries, Odili added, should endeavour to prevent illegal shipment of
arms and ammunition to unauthorised persons.
On the restoration of peace in oil bearing communities since the return of
democracy, Odili observed that oil companies have improved in their relations
with their host communities.
He advised oil companies to honour all memoranda of understanding (MoU) entered
between them and their host communities in order to facilitate the work of the
government in maintaining calm and order in the communities.
It would be recalled that Odili had announced amnesty to any who renounces
violence and surrenders illegal arms to the government.

   

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