Ex-militants block Abuja–Lokoja highway

Posted by admin Headlines, Niger Delta Friday, December 9th, 2011

It was hectic time for motorists plying Abuja- Lokoja highway yesterday when for over six hours, over 1000 Niger Delta ex-militants blocked the highway causing traffic gridlock in the ever busy road.

According to findings, the ex-militants, who were traveling in 60 coast er buses were going to Abu ja from Bayelsa State to make a demand from the Presidency on the fulfillment of their amnesty deals reached with the former president, Umar Yar Adua, when the police intercepted them at the Jamata Head Bridge on the highway

The ex-militants, who were said to be vi sibly angry over the interception, then barricaded the road with their vehicles, thereby, making it impossible for any vehicle coming or going to Abuja to ply the road. It took the intervention of the soldiers, who were drafted from Lokoja Army Record to the scene before peace and order could prevail and the road was cleared for motorists to pass through.

When Daily Sun visited the scene at about 10 am , the soldiers, did not allow any body gain access to the scene, as vehicles and persons coming from Lokoja were turned back. One of the militants, who spoke to Journalists on phone, however, said they were going to Abuja to embark on peaceful demonstration so as to draw the attention of President Jonathan to their plights.

The man, who spoke in pidgin English said the agreement reached with the former president was broken by Jonathan as he refused to fulfill the amnesty deals with them, saying “ we no wan go back to the creeks to fight the authority again, that is why we dey beg them now to settle us.”

-Sunwp_posts