The others, he said, are sceptical of the sincerity of the Federal Government. He, however, said with the explanations made by the state coordinator of the disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation programme, Mr. Michael Eyo, other members would be encouraged to embrace President Yar’adua’s amnesty.
Explaining that most of the weapons used by the group were not imported but manufactured within their camp, Ebetor called on the Federal Government to tap their knowledge and experience for the local production of arms and ammunitions.
The state coordinator of the Federal Government’s amnesty implementation committee, Mr. Michael Eyo, who was in company of the Commander, 6 Motorised Battalion, Lt. Col. Aliyu D. Abbas and the Chairman of Ukanafun local government, Aniekan S. Akpan, had, in his briefing of the militants, enlightened them on the need to embrace the good gesture of the federal government.
He told the militants that the determination of President Yar’adua to find a lasting solution to the Niger Delta problem led to the setting up of the committee headed by the Chief National Co-coordinator, Air Vice Marshall Lucky O. Ararile
He outlined the rehabilitation programme of the Federal Government for repentant militants to include job creation, educational and vocational training to the highest level possible, with the possibility of assistance to set up small scale industries.
Any militant who refuses to surrender from between the 6th of August and 4th of October, which is the official period of registration and collection of arms, he said “would have himself to blame, thereafter.” Eket and Etim Ekpo, according to him, are the designated registration and collection centres for Akwa Ibom state.
