Date Published: 10/24/09

Editor,

Ticking relapse of the amnesty achievement

Without ensuring that all the post-amnesty situation was well guarded; without ensuring that the federal securities do not undermine the peace so far achieved; without treating all militant leaders as equals, the federal government may fast lose the gained grounds.

I knew that it would not end with those shows that were carried out by the presidency and the militants but that if things are not properly handled, those would turn out to be multiple jokes and trouble for the nation. Some people (both in and outside government) referred to the militants (economic freedom fighters) criminals. This category of misinformed individuals was not able to decipher the difference between the perpetrators of kidnap-for-ransom and real militants.  But having secured the militants to drop their arms, no one should be in doubt any longer.

One seems not to understand that militant Tompolo who was returning to his village unarmed was attacked last Thursday by some described as Joint Task Force (JTF), but for luck Tompoloto would have been killed. Some militant leaders are complaining too that they are not being taken into reckoning, especially from Edo and Ondo axis; judging from the differential treatment the government is giving to some militant leaders. This is not the spirit on which a sound amnesty could have been bargained. Therefore, I am suggesting to the Presidency to be very cautious and deal with the situation appropriately because any relapse to the old system would definitely lead us to the land of no-return. To be forewarned is to be forearmed and a stitch in time saves nine, they say.

Chief Efosa Fredrick, Ikpoba Slope, Benin City.