Four suspected members of the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), have been arrested in Ikebiri community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Investigations revealed that an ex-militant leader and member of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Africa Upkarisia, assisted the Operation Delta Safe (ODS) in effecting the arrest of the suspects.

Upkarisia, who was recently appointed as the Chairman of Waterway Security in the state by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, acted on a tip-off on the activities of the suspected militants and alerted ODS.

The troops rounded up the suspects and recovered arms and ammunition.

A top security source said the four suspects have been moved to the headquarters of the ODS for interrogation.

Upkarisia confirmed the incident. He said the suspects were arrested at the weekend and commended the ODS for its prompt response.

He explained that he worked on information provided and ensured that the suspects were arrested before they unleash terror in the state.

“These are the boys that have been responsible for the ugly things that have been happening in the area. They are also into kidnapping and other violent crimes which they confessed to when they were arrested. I want to assure the state and federal government that we would keep Bayelsa safe,” he said.

He had held a meeting with the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Emmanuel Kachhikwu, and Dickson at the state Government House where he declared that the NDA should steer clear of the state.

He and other militants in attendance at the meeting had condemned the activities of NDA and warned that they are breaching the agreement reached with the government to grant amnesty to the militants in 2008 by late President Umaru Musa Yar Adua. (Daily Sun)

•Photo shows Niger Delta militants.

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