BREAKING NEWS: MEND rejects Yar’Adua’s amnesty for Niger Delta militants

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has rejected President Umaru Yar’Adua’s offer of an amnesty to rebels in the region. ||

In an emailed statement to the media, the spokesman of the mainstream rebel group, Jomo Gbomo, said Niger Delta militants would not accept the offer until the Federal Government released those being held in connection with the crises in the region.

”MEND considers the amnesty for surrender of arms offer by Mr Umaru Yar‘Adua as unrealistic. Such an offer by a government known for its insincerity must first be given to those who are being held captive by the Nigerian state for the rest of us to take seriously.

”Ironically, it should be the people of the Niger Delta considering amnesty to the military and the past and present leadership of a corrupt Nigeria for the evil perpetrated in the region,” the email said.

One of those being held over the crises is the MEND leader, Henry Okah, whose request for treatment abroad has been repeatedly been rejected by the Federal High court in Jos. MEND said it would only agree to a peace process in which the United Nations and ”reputable international mediators” would play an active role.

Yar’Adua made the amnesty offer on Thursday at the National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja.

He said the National Security Council would meet next week to work out the terms of the amnesty and new rules of engagement for the Joint Task Force in the iger Delta.

According to Yar’Adua, “The amnesty will come with a proviso: It will cover only those who are ready to lay down their arms and ammunition. Responding to the Federal Government‘s intention to strengthen the JTF‘s capacity MEND said, ”As the government prepares its military for war against the peace loving people of the Niger Delta, we wish to warn that the freedom fighters are ready. Our differences have been put aside to face a common enemy.”