8th November, 2010
Travellers on the East-West road, which is the major link road connecting Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River states went through a hellish experience today Monday, November 8, as thousands of ex-militants from Bayelsa State blocked the road.
The protesting youths threatened to bomb the Mbiama bridge at Mbiama, a border town between Bayelsa and Rivers State.
P.M.NEWS learnt through intelligence report that members of the Joint Task Force, JTF, mobilised to East-West road in the early hours of the today with several armoured personnel carriers to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
It was gathered that the ex-militants were mainly those who went to Abuja to protest against the Presidential amnesty programme as being discriminatory as they have not been incorporated into the training at Obubra in Cross River State.
They also alleged that they have not been paid their allowances promised them by the government of Chief Timipre Sylva and the federal government.
They threatened fire and brimstone during the elections unless their grievances are adequately addressed.
They said they are not against President Goodluck Jonathan, but fighting for their rights under the amnesty agreement.
They also said they may be compelled to head to the creeks if the federal and state governments cannot take care of their welfare.
When contacted, the spokesman of the JTF, Colonel Timothy Antigha confirmed the incident and said security forces were on top of the situation.
He assured that there was no cause for alarm.
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
