Ex-militants hold Delta Deputy Governor hostage

AGGRIEVED ex-militants, yesterday, held
Delta State Deputy Governor, Professor Amos
Utuama (SAN), hostage at Government House annex,
Warri, over what they described as undue delay in
the payment of their monthly allowances by the
amnesty office.
The ex-militants numbering over 100, barricaded
the entrance to the Government House, annex at
1p.m., insisting that they would not let the
Deputy Governor leave until their demands were
met or concrete promises made as to when their
allowances would be paid.
It will be recalled that the ex-militants, last
week Monday, blocked the East-West Road for
hours on same issue of their monthly allowances
not being paid when due.
Vanguard gathered that the ex-militants are
demanding N1 million from each vehicle on the
deputy governor’s convoy before they would let
them go.
At press time, the convoy was still being held
hostage. However, police and men of the Joint
Military Task Force, JTF, were on ground to
restore peace and order.
One of the ex-militants, who spoke to Vanguard on
telephone, said they were not being fairly treated
by the government, adding that “Christmas is here
and we have nothing to give to our family.
“This act of insensitivity on the part of
government must stop. Mr. Kingsley Kuku should
resign if he cannot handle our issue properly.”
The ex-militant, who did not want his name in
print, alleged that Kuku was living well at their
expense.