Ex-militants destroys Niger Delta office in Imo over non payment of certain fees

By Amby Uneze

For not paying them what they described as their transportation fees allegedly released by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, the bureau for Niger Delta Affairs office in Imo state has been destroyed by the ex-militants from the oil bearing communities of the state

The ex-militants numbering about 17 with a hired bus led by one Boby Uzoma Chukwuka yesterday evening stormed the office with dangerous weapons and shooting sporadically in the air.

The group destroyed all the window louvers of the buildings and other valuable items worth millions of Naira.

The situation has resulted in the deserting of the office by the workers for fear of any further attack.

The destruction came barely few days after the Special Adviser to the President and the national coordinator of Amnesty programme Brigadier General Paul Boro visited the state.

The leader of ex-militants,  Boby Uzoma Chukwuka when contacted said that they did the attack because his group were denied of the transport money given to them by  Brig. Boro during his last visit to the state.

He said that they were angered by the attitude of the Special Adviser to the Governor, Justus Ojika not to see them and to give them the money and his boys became angry and started destroying the office.

When contacted the Special Adviser to the Governor on Bureau for Niger Delta Affairs Hon Justus Ojika, though confirmed the incident but described it as unfortunate.

Ojika however denied of any transport money given to them by the Presidential aide as allayed by the ex-militants.

He said that the militants disarmed themselves since 2011, reaffirming the assurance by the Brig Gen. Boro on training of the ex-militants by the amnesty coordinator.

When contacted the Police Public Relation Officer of Imo state police command DSP Andrew Enwerem said that the matter had not been  brought  to their notice.