No fewer than 16,603 repentant Niger Delta militants have so far received the mandatory transformational training on non-violence at the Federal Government’s post-amnesty camp in Obubra, Cross River.
Frederick Anesah, the camp commandant, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Obubra on Wednesday.
At least 20,192 former militants, who were granted amnesty by the Federal Government, are expected to undergo demobilisation training at the camp.
Mr Anesah said that the batch 14 of the trainees, comprising 1,200 former militants from Rivers, had since June 23, been undergoing transformational training that would end on July 4.
He expressed the hope that the transformational programme would finish by the end of 2011.
He said: “They started coming to camp from June 23. The process started June 23rd and June 24th. On the 25th they started lectures.
“They are still in the process of this transformational lectures being conducted by Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN).
“As far as I am concerned, they are doing very well. We have 1,200 of them in the camp mainly from Rivers State. I could not believe that they are ex-militants.”
One of the trainees, Okorepirite Okoroji, from Tombia in Rivers State, told NAN that he was a member of the Fara Dagogo Camp prior to his being invited to Obubra for the training.
He said: “Since we came, everything has been in order. We run our programmes without any problems. We have been taught many things about how to manage life and stay away from violence.
“We enjoy and like it. I have learnt some things. I know that in life, you manage and that in life if you want anything and you are determined, you will get it.
“It pays to be straightforward in life. You do not get things by force. You exercise patience and work toward something you want and you will get it.
“When I leave here, I will be humble and keep to instructions and urge my other colleagues to do the same so they will enjoy it. I now know that life is a gradual process.”
According to another trainee, Mohammed Jombo, “We believe life will be better now. In the creeks, I suffered and fought the government day and night.
“We struggled because they were drilling our oil but we were still undeveloped until Yar’Adua called us and we agreed to give up our arms.
“Unfortunately, he (Yar’Adua) died, but we still did not lose hope. We believe Jonathan will see us through and now we see ourselves here in Obubra. They are training us here well.
“I am from Bonny and the oil companies there are not treating us well. That is why we went into the struggle to take care of our families.
“I have learnt that I do not need to use the rifle to get anything I want now. We have to get what we want through dialogue. We now have to pursue our aims through peaceful means.
“The country, we believe it will help us. If they do not help us, we will look for what to do again to carry on the action.
“I want my two children to graduate from school and that is why I am following up what the government is doing for us.”
Sunday Letura, another former militant in Osama Camp, said that one of his legs was amputated after he was hit by bullets in the camp where he served as an informant before he was demobilized.