Niger Delta militants operating in Bayelsa State creeks have demanded for general amnesty for those of them who took up arms against the Nigerian state.
They made the demand at the weekend at Ologbobiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government.
It was during a meting with the Niger Delta Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee led by Senator David Brigidi which continued its visit to the militant camps in Bayelsa State.
The militant groups are believed to be operated by two kingpins, Joshua and Africa in Southern Ijaw Local Government.
Accompanied by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, John Amadi, representing the Nigerian Police, Duke Fubara, respresenting the State Security Service (SSS), and other functionaries of the committee, the panel arrived the riverine community on Saturday and headed straight for discussion with the unit commanders of the militant camps behind close doors.
The closed door meeting lasted for over three hours, before the open and formal reception of the peace committee was later jointly hosted by Joshua and Africa. Brigidi and his entourage were greeted with gun salutes that lasted for over 15 minutes.
Joshua said Federal Government should demonstrate its sincerity on the amnesty plea by government, adding that “there is no gainsaying the fact that we took up arms against the Nigerian state. But we did so because of the obvious neglect of the social amenities in our area.”
He appealed for educational and employment opportunities to better the lots of the youth of the oil rich region.
Earlier, Africa, the other militant leader, had renewed the militants� demand for the release of Henry Okah (aka Jomo Gbomo), whom he described as a patriot and committed Ijaw activist.