By Gab Ejuwa
FORMER Militant commanders of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, forum have appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to prevail on men of the military Joint Task Force, JTF, to release one of their members, who was recently arrested for alleged involvement in the current face-off between the JTF and John Togo.

The forum in a statement by its chairman, Josiah Oyakonghan (aka Oyimi), Thompson Igere, Vice Chairman, Peremor Ekpesegbe, Secretary, Dennis Kpada, Adviser and others,  advised President Jonathan to called the JTF to order and stop them from illegal arrest of its members.

“A notable former militant is using the JTF to chasing us because we wrote to the presidency and Inspector General of Police on our dispute with him, which was as a result of him amassing all proceeds of the amnesty to himself. We asked for our fair share and he saw it as a problem due to his greediness.

“He had earlier threatened to set us up through planting of dangerous weapons around our homes and he is now taking the advantage of the present crises in the creeks between the JTF and warlords to indict us, saying that we are part of the battle.

Now our Public Relatons Officer, Mr Peter Ekpebide (aka fire burn) was arrested by the JTF last Wednesday 17, with allegation that a gun was found at the corner of his fence which was orchestrated by the said ex-militant,” the group added.

The group, while appealing for the immediate release of their PRO, Mr. Ekpebide, called on Mr. President and IG of police to prevail on ex-militant and the JTF to stop harassing them unduly, lamenting that they can no longer sleep in their homes as a result of the harassment.