Abuja — A cache of 7,000 AK47 riffles, 30 war boats, and 1,000 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) is to be surrendered by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to demonstrate its acceptance of the amnesty on the table, which enters its sixth day today.

In another move, the killing in Bayelsa last Thursday of a militant leader, Woki Godswill, alias Kitikata, has made the Federal Government to order the Joint Task Force (JTF) to cease fire so the amnesty for Niger Delta insurgents can take hold.

Defence Minister, Godwin Abbe, gave the order on Monday when he visited Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

However, Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, Amnesty Panel Media Co-ordinator, explained in a statement that Kitikata was not killed on his way to surrendering his weapons as reported.

She said the man had been injured in May in a confrontation with the JTF - a month before amnesty was proclaimed by President Umaru Yar'Adua - and is suspected to have died of complications from the injuries.

Other items to be surrendered, according to MEND mediator, Joseph Etella Harry, are explosives, police, and Army uniforms used by the militants.

He warned, however, that the government should be swift about collecting the arms because politicians are jostling to buy them for the election in 2011.

Harry claimed at a news conference in Abuja on Monday that he has the Power of Attorney from one of MEND leaders, Tompolo, to speak for the group.

But the caveat, according to him, is that the weapons would only be laid down if the government fulfils other obligations in the amnesty plan.

The demands include 1,000 plots of land in each council in the Niger Delta for residential and industrial buildings for the militants, and exchange of money for arms.

Harry denied reports that the MEND has returned any arms, saying those who turned in weapons last week are not members of the MEND.

His words: "The plots of land will be cleared by the youth and used to build houses and provide skills for them. After these things are done, the youths will be willing to return their arms if they are sure they will not be recycled.

"As a mediator, who has the Power of Attorney from Tompolo, I will assist the government to recover these arms. All I need is for the government to create a unit that will join me, and five persons from the police to help in itemising the recovered items.

"There will also be an officer to acknowledge receipt of the items. Once this is done, we will be sure that the weapons, including police and Army uniforms used by the boys, will not return to the area. If they do, we will hold (Yar'Adua) responsible.

"This action has to be taken fast because I have it on good authority that politicians are willing to buy over the weapons for the 2011 elections. And if this is the case, it will be disastrous for the nation.

"What is delaying the collection of these arms? Are they setting up another committee to do so, or what? Let them know that a stitch in time saves nine."

Harry insisted that his MEND faction wants money in exchange for arms, even as Abuja says it is opposed to this.

Abbe, a retired General, ordered the JTF to suspend shootings, except in self defence, saying the report on the killing of Kitikata might have been planted by those who do not want the Niger Delta conflict to end.

"If anyone has been killed, it will not be possible to ascertain who has done it until investigation is carried out," he explained.

"Criminals can also (carry out the killing) to compound the problems, but I want to assure you that the Armed Forces and indeed the JTF is a composition of responsible people who love the country.

"The response from a number of militants is most encouraging. We are making fantastic progress, and we are going to succeed by the grace of God.

"The amnesty is real and a deal of fate, without any hidden agenda. (President Umaru Yar'Adua) just wants peace in the country, so that the Niger Delta can be developed.

"Whatever grievances the Niger Delta people have can be addressed in a Constitutional manner that will bring a lasting solution."