Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state yesterday took a cursory look at the high level of insecurity in the Niger Delta region and declared that he had never been involved in the arming of any militant group either for political or any other reason in the state
Amaechi’s exoneration of himself of any involvement in Niger Delta militancy came just as the Chairman of the state’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Justice Kayode Esho[rtd] warned against global implication of militancy in the oil-rich Niger Delta region
Amaechi, who spoke in Port Harcourt while appearing before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission also denied ever ordering the killing of the leader of any cult or militant group.
The governor also gave an assurance that nobody would be arrested or punished for appearing to give evidence before the Commission.
He added that he was going to implement the recommendations of the commission just as he promised to do anything to bring back peace to the state.
Amaechi used the opportunity of being the first to testify before the commission to deny planting arms and ammunitions at the residence of the wanted leader of the outlawed Niger Delta Vigilante Movement, Mr. Ateke Tom
According to him, “throughout my political career, I have never conscripted anyone to intimidate or attack anybody”, he said adding that as speaker, he did everything he could to ensure that from his home base, all forms of violence were discouraged.
He explained that it was his aversion for violence and cultism that spurred him into enacting the law banning secret cults in the State adding however that he regretted that the provisions of the law were being flagrantly violated.
Expressing concern at the rate youths were carrying arms in the state , the governor vowed to do all within the powers of his administration to change the direction of things and return the state to the path of peace and normalcy.
Speaking under cross examination by Counsel to Atake,Prince Hussen Egielema , Amaechi said Atake admitted before former President Olusegun Obasanjo that he had so far killed over 2000 persons and that he[Atake] did not approve the Senate President’s planned visit to his base in the creeks due to that fact that he had been declared wanted for his criminal activities.
During the testimony of Amaechi, counsel to Ateke, Prince Hussen Egielema complained that his client was being witch hunted and alleged that the Joint Military Task Force under the directive of the Rivers State government demolished his houses worth several millions of naira.
Egielema also alleged that when the JTF raided Ateke�s residence and made away with over N5.2 million cash while trying to kill him
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Commission’s Chairman , Justice Eso said from what he could glean from the over 200 petitions submitted to the Commission, the Niger Delta and the entire nation was sitting on a time bomb.
The eminent jurist and former justice of the Supreme Court noted that the petitions bordered on hiring of youths by politicians who they arm and unleash on opponents.
He said the implication was that the region unless handled with care, may explode from the present situation
Esho pointed at the global implication of such a development given the response of oil prices on the international market on the situation.
�The effect of the insurgency is already radiating globally and the unprecedented rise in oil prices is being associated with the unrest in the region, which has become an ill wind that blows nobody any good�, the Commission Chairman further explained
Jun32008