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Dokubo Plans New Offensive Dec. 10

P.M. News (Lagos)
NEWS
December 8, 2004
Posted to the web December 8, 2004

By Okafor Ofiebor/ Port Harcourt
Port Harcourt
Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Asari Dokubo,
has vowed to launch a new offensive, to press the Obasanjo administration to
honour agreements it reached with the rebels a few months back, in exchange for
cessation of arms struggle against the Nigerian state.
An impeccable source told P.M.News in Port Harcourt today that Dokubo is very
displeased with President Obasanjo and has fixed 10 December for the take-off
of another big campaign against the Nigerian state, for what he called
"disrespect of people of the Niger Delta." The last known large scale offensive
launched by Alhaji Dokubo targeted the Rivers State capital and towns
surrounding it and led to the loss of many lives.
"The federal government has been insincere in dealing with us," a source quoted
Asari as saying, adding that while the federal government and the Rivers State
government have been insincere, it (Asari group) has shown good faith and
commitment to the peace accord by giving up some of its weapons, which have
already been destroyed.
He was said to have accused the federal government of not doing anything to
rehabilitate Niger Delta youths through the skills acquisition centres it had
promised.
Dokubo also accused the Odili administration in Rivers State of reneging on his
promise to create 4800 jobs as part of a process to reintegrate the war-weary
youths.
"We have disarmed, but issues like resource control and the convening of a
sovereign national conference (SNC), which we asked for when we met with Mr.
President, are not being addressed. Instead, he comes to Port Harcourt and
insults everyone without allowing us to ask questions," the source, who noted
that some youths loyal to Asari Dokubo had begun returning to the creeks to
resume their bloody campaign against the state and multi-national oil
corporations quoted the warlord as saying.

   

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