Ijaw warlord and leader of Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, has asked the Federal Government to refund N137million, being cost of the arms surrendered to Rivers State government by various militia groups before his incarceration.
Asari, however, frowned at incessant cases of hostage-taking in the Niger Delta region, saying he would do everything possible to stop the menace.
Addressing newsmen in Yenagoa, weekend, he said Rivers State government owes him N137million, which is the value of arms surrendered after a deal brokered with government, warning that until the debt is settled, government should not be talking about further disarmament deals.
Asari said in as much as the militant youth are ready to surrender various arms in their possession; government should be ready to fulfill its own part of the bargain. Said he, �we bought the arms, we did not pick it. If they are ready to pay, we are ready to surrender all the arms in our possession.�
On the act of hostage-taking which has soiled the country�s name in the comity of nations, Asari said the act is not part of the Ijaw cause.
According to him, the act will only stop when oil companies whose staff were abducted and various state governments in the region stop paying ransom to abductors.
He blamed both government and oil companies for encouraging the act, which he described as criminal. Asari said, �hostage-taking is not part of our struggle. Ijaw people are not known for criminal acts, we hardly involve ourselves in criminal activities. In Ijawland prior to this period, both strangers and indigenes co-habit peacefully, but now the reverse is the case.
“Today, both local and foreign investors are running away from the region. I am going to meet with the aggrieved with our proposal; this evil called hostage-taking must stop. We must protect Bayelsa. This is the only state we can call our own.�
On the travails of former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, he said he �remains the only governor still held captive, while others are now freemen. What manner of selective justice is this? Alamieyeseigha’s ordeal is an Ijaw course, an injury to one is an injury to all. Ijaw people are now carrying the burden and disgrace that Alamieyeseigha stole money. We allowed him to be disgraced. We will not allow the situation to repeat itself.�
He urged the Ijaw to support Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, saying he would not allow another Ijawman to be disgraced.