Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants Protest Alleged Federal Govt’s Non-commitment To 2009 Amnesty Deal

Over 200 repentant Niger Delta militants staged a peaceful protest in Akwa Ibom State, accusing the federal government of failing to uphold the terms of the 2009 amnesty agreement, which led them to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

The protesters, under the banner of the Ukanafun Freedom Fighters (UFF) and led by their coordinator, Udom Ebetor, gathered outside the Ukanafun Local Government Area headquarters in Ikot Akpankuk, where they voiced their dissatisfaction with the federal government’s alleged neglect of the promises made in the amnesty deal. The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, demanding urgent attention to their grievances.

One placard read: “The federal government has failed to keep its word in training and empowering the ex-militants to become economically self-reliant.”

Ebetor and the protesters urged the federal government to intervene in issues related to their welfare, jobs, and empowerment, which they claim were central to the amnesty agreement. They accused the government of not fulfilling its obligations to adequately support the former militants who had laid down their arms to pursue peace.

Further allegations from the protesters included claims that “ex-militants from Akwa Ibom were seen as strangers by other militants from certain tribes,” and were allegedly discriminated against by some officials in the amnesty office.

Ebetor, who led the Supreme Council of Niger Delta (SUCOND) in surrendering arms in 2009, recalled how he had warned in July of the same year that many militants, numbering at least 500, remained in the bushes due to their doubts over the federal government’s sincerity toward the amnesty programme.

A significant portion of the protesters at the Ukanafun council headquarters were those who had initially refused to lay down their arms, expressing skepticism about the government’s commitment. Ebetor lamented the disparity in benefits for ex-militants from different regions, noting that while some militants were being supported, many from the Akwa Ibom region were left behind.

“While others are benefiting, some of our leaders at the local and state levels are busy talking while their people are suffering,” Ebetor said, expressing frustration with the lack of action to address the plight of Akwa Ibom ex-militants.

Ebetor also denied allegations that he had ever been involved in cultism or criminal activities, emphasizing that his involvement in the amnesty programme had led him to undergo training in Vietnam. He encouraged the protesters to maintain peaceful conduct and avoid criminal activities, including drug abuse, while highlighting that the protest was a call to the federal government to act before the situation escalated.

On behalf of the federal government, Paul Mel Udoh, the Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officer (COMO) for Ukanafun Local Government Area, addressed the protesters. He assured them that their grievances would be transmitted to Abuja, and promised that the federal government would respond in a way that would help resolve their issues and alleviate their suffering.

The protest, while peaceful, underscores the growing frustration among ex-militants who feel left out of the amnesty programme’s promised benefits. With no immediate response from the federal government, the situation remains tense, and the protesters have warned that if their demands are not addressed, the issue could escalate further.