Niger Delta Amnesty Riot: Many Raped, Two Dead, UNIPORT Shut

MILITANTS BEFORE THE AMNESTY DEAL.

San Francisco (THEWILL) – We bring you this report because we are completely fed up with some of those who make decisions in President Yar’Adua government. 

We have confirmed reports that the militants who rioted in Port Harcourt Monday over the nonpayment of their allowances invaded the University of Port Harcourt, terrorizing students and raping about 12 female students, after which they abducted four girls and took them to their amnesty camp in Choba, Omoku/Aluu community.

A senior medical practitioner at the University of Port Harcourt who wants anonymity confirmed to THEWILL that the women were taken during the Monday riots in which some women were robbed and raped on campus and on the streets.

The over 120 militants whose rehabilitation camp is located in Aluu, a student community close to UNIPORT, assaulted and raped their four captives non-stop for two days before eventually dumping them for dead on the street on Wednesday morning. There are over 7000 former militants camped in this facility.

Our source reported that the four women were found on the street in life threatening conditions, two of them having lost consciousness. The victims were also said to have cuts and bruises all over their bodies. On arrival at the hospital, they were taken into the intensive care unit where they were said to be responding to treatment, but unfortunately on Thursday morning, the two that were found unconscious died from the abuse.

The knowledge of the incident has heightened tension in the entire university and Choba communities. The university authorities Thursday announced the closure of the institution until government is able to keep the militants in check. Our source says a meeting of all heads of departments was held early Thursday to emphasize the need to send students home and completely evacuate the campus.

Governor of the State, Rotimi Amechi’s convoy was seen by another eyewitness heading towards the community on Thursday. We are unable to confirm whether he visited the camp or not, but we know the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Magnus Abe met with the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Don Baridam.

We understand the citizens of Rivers State are still trying to comprehend the decision of the federal government to camp militants next door to a university, thereby exposing students to unnecessary danger without any form of security. 

When these militants were given amnesty and put up in camps they were assured by the government that their day to day living would be provided for. It is their claim however that this has not been the case, as they do not have basic amenities such as water supply and electricity.

The question here is whose decision was it not to pay them their October allowance, which is their justification for committing these unforgiveable atrocities, resulting in pain and deaths of innocent people.

Somebody has to take responsibility for the actions of these militants who are presently a menace to society. These people have no business being near a university.

We say enough of the fire brigade approach; the government has to come up with a plan to deal with this militancy problem once and for all.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and the entire Choba community.

We continue to await a response to our email sent out Thursday to Mr. Segun Adeniyi, President Yar’Adua’s media adviser.