There is disquiet in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State over an invitation from the police command to some former militant leaders ahead of the January 9 supplementary governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and 101 polling units in six local government areas in the state.

Some of the former militants, it was gathered, are suspicious that the invitation was a prelude to arresting them ahead of the poll.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nasiru Oki, had, through the head of the State Intelligence Bureau, Ondo Gbekumo, summoned a meeting with Paul Eris (a.k.a Ogunbos) and Africanus Ukprasia, both from Southern Ijaw council area.

The letter had stated that attendance at the meeting was mandatory as the issue for discussion borders on threat to security.

However, sources close to the former militant leaders said they might boycott the meeting scheduled for today.

According to the sources, the two former militant leaders, who are known supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, said they were not comfortable with the timing and agenda of the meeting as it could be a ploy to arrest them.

Investigations yesterday indicated that the two former militant leaders and some other former militant leaders are meeting with their supporters to take a final decision on the attendance of the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the arrest and prosecution of General Africa, Ogunbos and others, including the ‘compromised law enforcement agencies’, who spearheaded and supervised the alleged brutalisation and alleged killing of voters during and after the December 5 polls. (Daily Sun)

•Photo shows Niger Delta militants prior to their disarmament as a result of the Amnesty Programme.

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