Abuja — Abuja on Thursday reiterated its resolve to deal with any militant group, including the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), which attacks oil installations and other public properties.

Amnesty Panel Co-ordinator, Lucky Ararile, noted the new threat issued by the MEND on Wednesday, but reminded the group that the amnesty declared by President Umaru Yar'Adua has elapsed; so the government would react as appropriate if the threat is carried out.

Ararile, who was giving account of the work of the panel, told journalists in Abuja that it would be foolish for any group to dare the federal might after its magnanimity, as doing so is suicidal.

The MEND announced that it would have no representation at today's meeting the government plans to hold with Niger Delta stakeholders.

Its Spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, argued that the meeting is "further insult on the people of the Niger Delta" because it is a "dialogue" with people Abuja can easily manage.

He reaffirmed the stance of the MEND to renew attacks on oil facilities, and warned oil companies not to listen to government's assurances to protect such installations.

"The MEND considers this next phase of our struggle as the most critical as we intend to end 50 years of slavery of the people of the Niger Delta by the Nigerian Government, a few individuals and the Western oil companies once and for all.

"In this next phase, we will burn down all attacked installations and no longer limit our attacks to the destruction of pipelines," Jomo threatened.

Ararile, nonetheless, repeated that the door is closed against militants who refused to accept the amnesty which expired on October 4, stressing that any of them looking for pardon now will be treated like a criminal.

He said the panel was overwhelmed by the huge number of those who accepted the amnesty and surrendered their arms, "Which means that the troubled Niger Delta is safe now."

According to him, a total 8,299 militants registered to accept the amnesty, and a total 2,760 arms were collected from them, plus 287,445 ammunition, 18 gun boats, 763 explosives, 1,090 dynamite caps, and 3,155 magazines.

He said the list of militants is provisional as more of them in the camps of Tompolo, Dagogo, Busta Ryhmes, Ateke Tom, who have all accepted the amnesty on behalf of their groups, are being expected to register officially.

He put the number expected at between 5,000 and 6,000.

Ararile said 162 militants have been registered in Akwa Ibom State, and they surrendered 51 arms, 959 ammunition, five explosive dynamites, 41 magazines, one bullet proof jacket, and one dynamite cable.

In Bayelsa 4,869 militants laid down 951 arms, 130,877 ammunition, 18 gun boats, 23 explosive dynamites, 31 dynamite caps, 1,585 magazines, 6 RPG charger, one AK 47 bayonet, one walkie-talkie, one A/Riot grenade, two local made knives, and 153 cartridges.

Up to 160 militants in Cross River surrendered 20 arms, 9,748 ammunition, 59 explosive dynamites, 38 magazines, 4 radios, and one charger.

In Delta, 1,061 militants gave up 449 arms, 52,958 ammunition, 521 explosive dynamites, 1,035 dynamite caps, 414 magazines, and two walkie-talkies.

The number of militants who registered in Edo was 250, and they surrendered 82 arms, 772 ammunition, 53 explosive dynamites, 24 dynamite caps, and 29 magazines.

In Ondo, 750 dispossessed themselves of 198 arms and 9,725 ammunition.

A total 1,047 militants in Rivers gave up 1,009 arms, 82,406 ammunition, 102 explosive dynamites, 1,048 magazines, two tear gas, 12 cartridges, and nine RPG chargers.

Ararile disclosed that only N958 million of the panel's N10.14 billion budget given by the National Assembly (NASS) has been released.

He noted that an additional N1.273 billion was reportedly released on Wednesday, but the account of the panel has not been credited.

He said the new release would be used to pay the allowances of repentant militants who receive N65,000 per month.

But Ararile stressed that the budget may not be sufficient for 10,000 militants, whose number is even expected to rise to about 15,000 when those in the camps of Tompolo, Dagogo, Buster Rhyme, and Ateke Tom register.

That notwithstanding, rehabilitation centres have been established in Rivers and Delta with a combined capacity of 2,400 slots to train repentant militants for one month in their chosen vocation.

The training will be rotated until all participate, and the monthly allowance will be paid until the training is completed.

Ararile said the weapons collected will be kept at the military arms dump in Enugu until the government decides what to do with them.

He promised that they will not get into the hands of politicians for use during the 2011 election.

Also on Thursday, the South South Caucus in the House of Representatives urged the government to design infrastructure development for the Niger Delta, now that militants have accepted the amnesty.

It sought a Consultative Assembly comprising elder statesmen, lawmakers, Governors, and repentant militants as part of efforts to concretise the gains on the ground.

The caucus Chairman, Andrew Uchendu, who made the demand, said members congratulated the militants for heeding the call of patriotism by laying down their arms.