Ateke Surrenders 600 Guns
EU delegation visits Niger Delta
From Donald Andoor in Port Harcourt and Iyefu Adoba in Abuja
Efforts to stem militia violence in the Niger Delta appear to be yielding results as the leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante group, Mr. Ateke Tom, yesterday surrendered 600 assorted rifles and 800 ammunition to the government in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
This is coinciding with the expected visit of a powerful European Union delegation to the state as part of efforts to find an amicable resolution to the Niger Delta crisis. The team is expected in Port Harcourt tomorrow.
The arms and ammunition surrendered by the Ateke group are the highest since the Federal Government launched the campaign to retrieve illegally acquired weapons in the hands of the local militia and cultists in the state last month.
The rifles and ammunition which were surrendered to the special federal government committee set up to disarm the local militia and cult groups at the parade ground of the 2nd Amphibious Brigade, Port Harcourt, was precided over by the Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili, who is also the chairman of the committee.
The rifles were tested by the personnel of the armoury department and ascertained to be servicable and in perfect firing shape. Odili, in his brief remarks, said the committee had commenced work in earnest and appealed to those still in possession of illegally acquared weapons to surrender them.
He thanked Ateke Tom for "voluntarily turning in the arms" and those that have so far cooperated with the committee either by volunteering information or surrendering their arms. He reiterated the determination of government on the restoration of peace and appealed to all citizens to assist the government to realise the objective for the over all development of the country.
Tom, in a pensive mood and spotting a yellow shirt over apair of brown trousers and a waist coat had in a brief speach, expressed his readiness to work for the restoration of peace and forgiveness in the true spirit of reconciliation. Present at the ceremony were other members of the National Disarmament Committee including Brig. Gen. Zachariah Yaduma as well as the service commanders of the Navy, Airforce and the Police.
Members of the EU delegation, who are to discuss the recent reports of intensifying unrest in the region, include Netherlands Ambassador Aart Jan Verdegaal, (representing the Presidency of the EU), British High Commissioner Richard Gozney (representing the next Presidency of the EU), French Ambassador Yves Gaudeul and Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Nigeria Mr. Leonadis Tezapsidis.
According to a statement signed by the Press and Information Officer of the EU, Mr. Kelechi Onyemaobi, the visit is informed by the Union's ongoing interest in Nigeria's economic development and stability.
Also to be discussed is the "operations of the oil and gas industry, in particular of European multinational companies as well as the safety of nationals of EU member states living and working in the Delta Region.
"The visit comes as part of the EU's ongoing development cooperation in Nigeria, where a first wave of projects are focused in the Delta region, in which obvious social problems have occurred," read the statement.
Stressing its support for economic reforms as implemented by the Federal Government and its endeavors towards democratisation, the EU said it welcomes efforts made by all parties to resolve differences through peaceful means.
The EU also intends to underline the importance of ensuring that its efforts in development cooperation in the region are not disrupted.
The delegation is expected to meet with different stakeholders including state authorities, civil society and multinational companies to exchange views on economic development and security issues in the region.
Other members of the delegation include the Charge d' Affaires of the Italian Embassy Mr. Massimiliano and Mr. Martin Shearman of the British High Commission.
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