Some ex-militants who embraced the recent Federal Government’s amnesty, on Wednesday threatened a showdown in Ondo State over an alleged attack on th

Ex-militants threaten showdown in Ondo over alleged attack
Some ex-militants who embraced the recent Federal Government’s amnesty, on Wednesday threatened a showdown in Ondo State over an alleged attack on them by some youths.

One of the leaders of the ex-militants, Chief Bibopiri Ajube (a.k.a Gen. Shoot Asight), who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone, alleged that his men were attacked on Tuesday by youths from Omi in Irele Local Government Area.

He said the ex-militants were attacked while on their way to Ore to collect their monthly allowance.

He said, “The youths, who were brandishing various weapons, axed our boys and even smashed a Toyota Camry with registration number GW 234 RSH (Abuja) belonging to Mr. Lubi Akpoebi, a former councillor of Ese Odo Local Government Council.

“Currently, one of the boys who is in a critical condition is receiving treatment in a clinic at Arogbo in Ese Odo LGA.”

Ajube urged the state government to call Omi community leaders to order and ensure that the perpetrators of the attack, which he described as “barbaric and condemnable,” were brought to book.

“We shall resist as never before any further act of slightest provocation. To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” the ex-militant leader said.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, Mr. Aremu Adeniran, confirmed the attack to our correspondent on the telephone.

Adeniran said that information at the disposal of the command showed that the confrontation occurred when Omi youths, who were on a festival parade, barricaded the road.

This, he confirmed, led to “an argument” between the ex-militants and the youths.

Although, he did not confirm the casualty figure, the police spokesman said that the command had commenced investigation into the case.

“We intervened immediately and restored peace to the area. As part of our investigation, our men are now on the trail of the masterminds of the incident,” he explained.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ranti Akerele, in a telephone interview, said that the state government was aware of the clash and appealed to all residents of the state to embrace peace always.

Akerele said that the chairman of the affected local government area, his counterpart from Ilaje LGA (where most of the ex-militants come from), all political appointees from the area and security agencies had waded in the crisis.

He said, “Everything has been brought under control. As a government, we shall continue to live up to our responsibility of ensuring the safety of lives and property in every part of the state.

“We want to also appeal that no person or group should take the law into their own hands or resort to self-help when provoked. Such groups or persons should report to the appropriate authorities.”


ttack