All,

I live in Accra, Ghana and this is what I just read on myjoyonline.com and heard LIVE on JoyFM in Accra, Ghana some minutes ago. A Nigerian High Commission officer, Mr Oyekanmi, the Niger Delta's representative, Mr Okporoko and some security personnels were asked to talk about this.

Mr Oyekanmi said since there is peace in the Niger Delta, they have no basis of relocating to Ghana and that they should go back to Naija to solve things with the goverment. Mr Okporoko said they are here not for violence or perpertrate crimes, but that they wanted to use Ghana as a base to sort out amnesty with Naija goverment. The security personnels interviewed asked that they, should be repatriated back quickly, else things could go haywire later security wise for Ghana, which I'm strongly in support of.


What are your views on the way to get this resolved peacefully and urgently.



BNI summons Niger Delta leader

Last Updated: Tuesday, 15 June 2010, 13:0 GMT Previous Page

Mr. Okproko alleges over 3,000 Nigerian militants are in Ghana.

The Chronicle newspaper reports that the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) has waded strongly into the allegations of the influx of over 3,000 Nigerian militants from the Niger Delta into Ghana.

According to our reports, the BNI, after the Chronicle’s publication, swiftly summoned the President of the Niger Delta Community in Ghana, Mr. Francis Okproko, last Friday to validate the claims of the number and militants trooping into the country.

At the meeting with officials of the BNI, the Chronicle gathered that Mr. Okproko was asked to provide a lead to his claim to enable the government come to their aid.

Mr. Okproko, according to the paper, in his humble submission, revealed that he exaggerated the numbers and that he had no evidence to support the allegations of militants from the Niger Delta entering Ghana.

He indicated, however that he had registered an association in the country, with 100 members, with the view to advancing amnesty programs for Niger Deltans resident in Ghana.

It was gathered that the last time his association met, with 16 members in attendance out of 100, they discussed, among others a means of getting their concerns to the government of Ghana, since the Nigerian High Commissioner was allegedly not being sensitive to their plight.

Initially, he told the BNI that they used to meet at this private residence at Teshie, but he had now relocated to Achimota.

“He told us that he has no evidence to support his allegations about the number of militants in the nation. He said he was just doing it to get the attention of Ghana government to help them get audience with the Nigerian authorizes, because the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana has failed to address their welfare in Ghana.

"He further told us that there are no militants among the people”, a source at the BNI hinted the chronicle.

It was further gathered that Mr. Okporoko frankly stated that the basis of their allegations was because of the frustrations they had been going through at the hands of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana.

Francis, after the discussions, however pledged to provide the list of the names of his 100 members to the BNI by the close of day Monday. The Chronicle learnt that Francis told the officials that he was making the noise, because the Nigerian High Commission had shown a total lack of interest in their welfare.

Mr. Okporoko confirmed in chat with the Chronicle that he was invited by the BNI to provide them proof of his allegations. According to him, he met the officials and insisted that when given the opportunity, he would supply the BNI with the numbers.

Mr. Okproko had earlier raised the red flag over an influx of Nigerians from the troubled Niger Delta region into Ghana. This development, he said, makes him uncomfortable, knowing its implication for the country if these people are not properly managed.

He had hinted The Chronicle that there were about 3,000 people from the region who had migrated to Ghana.

The Niger Delta is an unstable area of Nigeria, often greeted with violence for access to oil resources, which leads to the regular vandalism of oil pipelines, kidnapping and other violent crimes by impoverished residents.

Mr. Okproko noted that information reaching his good self indicated that some of the immigrants from the Delta Region had begun to form gang groups in the country.

He noted that since the devil finds work for idle hands, he petitioned the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana about the development and the need to have these people properly managed, so they don’t foment trouble in the country, but according to him, all efforts to have audience with the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, to have these people covered under a post amnesty program, had proved futile. “Should we wait until they start committing crimes before we do something?” he queried.

But the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana dismissed the allegation, when the Chronicle contacted them on the issue. Mr. O. Adedapo Oyekamnmi, Minister of State at the Nigerian High Commission in Accra, told The Chronicle that there was no crisis situation in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, and that claims of the influx of Niger Deltans into Ghana has no empirical basis.

“There is now peace, stability and tranquility in the Niger Delta, because all the known leaders for Movement for Restoration for Equity and for Justice in the Niger Delta that lead arms struggle against the Federal Government had laid down their arms and are communicating with the Nigerian government. That was the point we were at when our late president died,” he stated.

He added that even after the death of the president, the Federal Government amnesty program and peace initiative in the Niger Delta had not changed.

“So we are still perusing peace there; there is peace in the Niger Delta; there is relative calm and peace in the Niger Delta," he reiterated.



Source: The Chronicle/Ghana

didnt they agree to send them there as part of the peace deal or something.

not really sure.

@ tpiah,

I don't think there's any agreement like that. I heard them all speak LIVE this evening on Joy FM here, nobody mentioned anything like that. What gave me concerns was the fact that the spokesman for them said he heard that some of them are already behaving unruly here and needed something to be done by Naija government to address the situation as soon as possible.

May God help us o.

tpiah:

didnt[b] they [/b]agree to send them there as part of the peace deal or something.

not really sure.

who are they?


what cuntry will agree to having past militant coming into its country with absolutely no skill whatso ever even if they have the skill what does Ghana want to do with 3000 fighters

If the dumb Jonathan wants to send them on Holiday Calabar is there and there is the Gloryland castle in Bayelsa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DslTiMDZcOA

Lol

What a misleading title. This poster is just trying to stir still waters.do u know the meaning of 'invade'.Any one glancing through d title without reading indepth would think they've started a war in ghana. pls carry your propaganda elsewhere. Wrong section!!

@ SLIGHT,

How are you doing? I'm a very respected person here on NL, most contributors on sports threads could testify to that. I'm not after stiring any still waters, nor any propaganda please.

I'm a Nigerian living here in Ghana with my wife and children and I know what have been said and still to be said about us here. The headline was used as I read it in their dailies and heard on the radio here.

For your information, the word invade doesn't necessarily mean starting war please. Here are meanings of invade from the dictionary that I copied for you to read and understand better.

in·vade [in váyd]
(past and past participle in·vad·ed, present participle in·vad·ing, 3rd person present singular in·vades)
verb
1. transitive and intransitive verb enter country by military force: to enter a country by force with or as an army, especially in order to conquer it
2. transitive verb enter and spread through something: to enter and spread throughout something completely
3. transitive verb go somewhere in numbers: to enter or be present in a place in great numbers
The town has been invaded by tourists.

4. transitive verb spoil something: to spoil something by interfering with or in it, interrupting it, or reducing it
invading our privacy

5. transitive and intransitive verb medicine cause disease: to enter and spread gradually throughout a part of the body, causing harm or damage
6. transitive and intransitive verb botany grow rapidly and harmfully: to become established and spread rapidly in an area, crowding out the preexisting plants


[15th century. Directly or via French < Latin invadere "go in" < vadere "to go"]
Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Peace!

I do remember ready somewhere that as part of Niger Delta rehabilitation programme some were to be retrained outside Nigeria, and Ghana was one of those places.

@ londoner,

They came to Ghana on their own.

This is sad because Ghanaians are already weary of the 1 million or so Nigerians living in their country, which has led to abuse and unlawful arrest and detention of some. I am afraid the ex militants are simply finding a way to perpetuate crimes which i am sure the Ghananian security system will not tolerate because Ghana is not like Nigeria security wise.

Sir Kay:

@ SLIGHT,

How are you doing? I'm a very respected person here on NL, most contributors on sports threads could testify to that. I'm not after stiring any still waters, nor any propaganda please.

I'm a Nigerian living here in Ghana with my wife and children and I know what have been said and still to be said about us here. The headline was used as I read it in their dailies and heard on the radio here.

For your information, the word invade doesn't necessarily mean starting war please. Here are meanings of invade from the dictionary that I copied for you to read and understand better.

in·vade [in váyd]
(past and past participle in·vad·ed, present participle in·vad·ing, 3rd person present singular in·vades)
verb
1.  transitive and intransitive verb enter country by military force: to enter a country by force with or as an army, especially in order to conquer it
2.  transitive verb enter and spread through something: to enter and spread throughout something completely
3.  transitive verb go somewhere in numbers: to enter or be present in a place in great numbers
The town has been invaded by tourists.

4.  transitive verb spoil something: to spoil something by interfering with or in it, interrupting it, or reducing it
invading our privacy

5.  transitive and intransitive verb medicine cause disease: to enter and spread gradually throughout a part of the body, causing harm or damage
6.  transitive and intransitive verb botany grow rapidly and harmfully: to become established and spread rapidly in an area, crowding out the preexisting plants


[15th century. Directly or via French < Latin invadere "go in" < vadere "to go"]
Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Peace!

Sorry, Sir Kay, i didnt mean to be rude to u, in all i know u must be my elder since u already have a wife and kids, am still in my teen years, i have great respect for elders. i was only trying to make corrections of the title.No offence intended.Hope ur family's doing great. Ciao.

@ SLIGHT,

No problem please. We are doing good by HIS grace. It is well.

I understand that both Nigeria and Ghana will not want militants with no jobs or prospects to enter the country in such numbers, but they are actually citizens of an Ecowas country and it sound like they are there legally. Just like a few weeks ago a similiar number of Ghanaians from the north fled into Togo after violence and unrest in Bawku.


I dont know what evidence they have that they are all exmilitants or is it because they are from the Niger Delta region which makes them so?

Their spokesman confirmed that they were ex-militants. About four of them were brought to the studio of Joy FM yesterday morning for interaction and to tell the whole world their mission in Ghana.

They said they wanted to use Ghana as a base to negotiate their amnesty issue with Naija Govt, just like it was when Aburi accord deal between Biafra and Naija Govt was struck years ago.

I believe Naija High Commission people, Ghana's BNI and Ghana Government are working on this for now.

Sir Kay:

@ londoner,

They came to Ghana on their own.

that cant be, 3000 ex-militant going to another country to negotiate 'amnesty' without the Ghanaian authorities, or Nigerian government knowledge is highly unlikely

Ghanaian fleeing violence is different from ex-militants going into another country


Ghana is taking this issue lightly, why are they involving themselves in some dodgy negotiation anyway, these guys have the skills and backing of corrupt government to spread their violence considering Ghana's now oil discovery

@Sir Kay

I understand your apprehensions about Niger Delta militancy and the likely effects on  Ghana's polity. But I think you misunderstand the concept of militancy in the Niger Delta. Militancy in the Niger Delta region was initially an expression of discontent, but it grew to become a multi-million dollar business. The Tompolos, General Boyloaf , MEND etc are protecting their businesses and not in anyway connected to political agitations. Illegal bunkering, kidnap for ransome etc are businesses that these guys can ONLY do in Nigeria.

Genuine agitation stopped with Saro-wiwa.

I'm sure you've heard about local-content in the Nigerian oil industry. Who are the beneficiaries of this policy? The so-called militants of course, determining who gets what contract from even multi-national oil corporations.

Of what use is a so-called Niger Delta association in Ghana when the Federal Govt has accomodated them so much as to even have an Alaibe(allegedly a promoter of militancy when policies don't favour him) as a go-between.

Bros, to use the local lingo, na scam.

The numbers are obviously inflated. 3000 is a bit to much. i feel its around 600 to 800. just imaging mend having 3000 people. they could have easily taking over abuja. but instead got their A$$ kicked by the JTF.

ABOUT WHAT 3000 LOOKS LIKE

militants dey dangerous o! ghana beware. a scorpion will always sting.

@ Dis Guy & GAR3TH,

They confirmed the numbers on their own, cos I heard their interviews LIVE.

@ stormm,

I understand how militants works in Naija, cos I was once an employee of a major oil company in Naija. All I've posted here so far were what the guys said on the radio, when they were interviewed. I'm still monitoring it all.

Joseph Eva, a popular Ijaw activist once suggested on Kubanji Direct, Radio Continental FM programme (here in Nigeria) that Ghana should "use horsewhips and brooms to drive out every Nigeria in that country". He prefers that we all "remain in Nigeria to solve the problems we created for ourselves."

Sir Kay

Its a scam. Criminals will go to any extent to perpetuate their acts. It was safer for Ibori to remain in Nigeria and hole up in Oghara. Its safer for these criminals to remain in their creeks than to go to Ghana where the security is tight.

They are in Ghana to meet Jerry Rawlings to plan and execute a successful revolution in Nigeria. Abeg Rawlings make you give them proper tutorial on Rev101.

@ stormm,

This is no scam. I read it in the dailies and heard their interviews more than three times on Joy FM here. Let's see how it unfolds.

but you cant believe every you here. people just say things to get attention

You think so! Let's siddon look then.

Now a niger deltan is the president and we are still hearing bad news about these boys.i just wish they had end up in kirikiri for life instead of granting them amnesty.

Sharap Ghanians
Didnt a while ago,we read at this forum yes this forum that Militants are to be sent to UK,US and som other country right people?
ANd ganahians if you are conplining means you didnt give them visas,and which means they sneaked and are illegal?
So blame your borders and its agaenices, Dumbasses

@ xterra2,

I, the person that started this thread is not a Ghanaian, I'm a full bloodied Nigerian, living in Ghana with my wife and children. This is not about abusing Ghanaians please, let's stop abusing each other here.

Peace!

Sir Kay:

This is no scam. I read it in the dailies and heard their interviews more than three times on Joy FM here. Let's see how it unfolds.

Read in the dailies? Ha ha, I laugh in pidgin. Are u a Nigerian at all? Are jounalists omnipotent that they cannot be questioned? Bros, anybody can say anything, in reality the reverse is the case. Media can be manipulated anytime, na coins na.

But seriously, the media is a purveyour of news, not generate the news by themselves. So depending on the gatekeeper and the business angle(sales), the edotor can blow things out of proportion provided it increases ratings which translates to sales. I was in the media and I know as much. Its called 'newsworthy' and it generate sales.

Think seriously, what will a 'militant' want in Ghana where its not business as usual?