Ex-militants from the oil-rich Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have protested their exclusion from the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme since 2017.
The protesters, representing various camps including the United Sea-wolf Avengers, Awaja Camp, Forest Soldiers, Big-fish Camp, Ogoloto Camp, Niger Delta Vanguard Camp, Aluma Camp, Ofaran Camp, and six others, expressed disappointment over their non-integration into the programme, despite promises made by the government.
Speaking during the protest, their leader, Deji Ehinmowo, called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and ensure their inclusion in the Amnesty Programme without interference from the state government.
“All we want is to be incorporated without any intermediary, either from the state government or anyone else, because we have already surrendered our arms and ammunition,” Ehinmowo stated.
He lamented that since surrendering their weapons and embracing peace under the Amnesty initiative, they have faced neglect, despite complying with all terms set by the government.
Ehinmowo further detailed the types of weapons surrendered, including sophisticated arms like Fiat Revelli Model guns, Colt Automatic rifles, Sango Scorpions, Dynamite Bitter explosives, bombs, and grenades, along with over 400 pumping-action shotguns and military uniforms.
“We did this amnesty simply because the federal government called us to do so, and we obeyed. But since then, up till this moment, the government is yet to fulfill its promises,” he added.
According to him, the group had written several letters to security agencies, the state government, and the federal government with no positive response. He warned that the ex-militants might be forced to take drastic measures if the situation remains unresolved.
Ehinmowo urged President Tinubu to intervene directly, emphasizing that they do not want political leaders hijacking the programme. He stated that the 2017 Amnesty Programme included 4,300 participants from 14 recognized groups in Ilaje LGA and others in Ese-Odo, all of whom have been neglected since then.
The leaders of eight ex-militant camps—Akintoye Olatunji, Omoboye Juwon, Joseph Omoteji, Ojo Ikudehinbu, Dada Odusola, Moses Ikudehinbu, and Niyi Aladetan—also voiced their frustration over the government’s failure to respond to their appeals.
They collectively appealed to the federal government for immediate action, warning that the situation is becoming dire.
“We want the federal government to cooperate with us because there is fire on the mountain,” they declared.
Despite their grievances, the ex-militants reaffirmed their loyalty and commitment to the nation-building programmes of President Tinubu’s administration and the government of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Ondo State, pledging to support the development of the riverine communities.
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