Commanders and leaders of Niger Delta ex-militants today failed to access Ijaw House, Yenagoa, venue of the meeting summoned by Chief Government Ekpemukpolo alias Tompolo, former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

Ijaw House was sealed off by a combined team of soldiers and policemen drafted to the place following orders from Governor Seriake Dickson on Friday cancelling the proposed meeting.

Civil servants in the Bayelsa Ministry of Culture and Ijaw National Affairs and other government agencies with offices in the building were denied access to their offices on Friday.

The Bayelsa Government had announced the cancelation of the meeting convened by ex-militants leaders in Bayelsa in a statement on Friday.

Governor Dickson in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, offered to meet with the former militant leaders at a later date.

“Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson has called for the postponement of the proposed meeting of the leaders of ex-agitators in the Niger Delta, earlier scheduled for this Saturday, 25th of July, 2015 in Yenagoa by them,” the statement read. It added that the Governor will meet with them soon, to discuss issues as it affects the ex-agitators and others issues of overall strategic interest of the region and the nation as a whole.

“It called for the understanding and cooperation of all concerned,” Iworiso-Markson stated.

•Photo shows Tompolo.