A large number of youth claiming to be former armed militants in the Niger Delta area of Ondo State on Friday protested in Akure, the state capital, over their non-inclusion in the extended amnesty program. The youth, numbering about 500, also threatened to return to the creeks to bear arms against the government if they were not properly captured and included in the program. The protesters stormed the office of the State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), in Oba-Ile, Akure, set up bonfires and prevented free flow of traffic along the expressway. They also prevented employees of the commission from entering the office. According to the protesters, the government conducted a fake amnesty programme for them. Mobile policemen were deployed to disperse the protesters, using teargas. The protesters, who were led by their respective camp leaders, alleged that the amnesty window opened between November 9 and 21 last […]