Ex-militants hold Delta deputy gov hostage

Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, was yesterday held hostage at the Government House annex, Warri by aggrieved former militants who were protesting alleged undue delay in the payment of their monthly allowances by the amnesty office.

The protesters, no fewer than 100, barricaded the entrance to the Government House and insisted that the state’s number two citizen would not leave until their demands were met or concrete promise made.
The former militants had blocked East/West road for hours last week in protest over delay in the payment of the said allowances.
During yesterday’s protest however, the police and operatives of the joint military task force were on ground to restore normalcy.
Meanwhile, the Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Augustine Avwode, said in a statement that Prof. Utuama was not held hostage by the former militants, saying there was no reason for such an action.
He explained that the former militants had staged peaceful demonstrations over their unpaid monthly stipends.
“On Monday, the boys protested and only went to express their grievances yesterday when they heard that the deputy governor was at Government House Annex in Warri.  They subsequently dispersed after expressing their grievances in the hope that the deputy governor will relay them to higher quarters.
(Credit/The Sun)