No surrender of weapons, no amnesty- Rivers Govt to Ogoni Cultists

Following recent violent clashes among the various cult groups in Ogoni, resulting in killings and an atmosphere of insecurity in the affected areas, the Rivers State government has declared that no amnesty would be granted to repentant cultists without a total surrender of their weapons.

This declaration was made by the chairman of the Rivers State Amnesty Committee, Mr. Ken Chinda, at a security stakeholders meeting in Bori, the headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, at the weekend.

The Chairman appealed to cultists in Ogoni to utilize the second amnesty programme in the interest of peace and security in the area and the state at large.

Recall that cultists in Ogoni refused to surrender their weapons during the first phase of the amnesty programme in the state, but the continued killings in Ogoni had forced critical stakeholders in the area to appeal for extension of the programme.

During the destruction of the arms recovered from hoodlums at the Igwurata Shooting Range in Ikwerre Local Government Area after the first amnesty in the state, the Rivers State governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike, directed the amnesty office to organize a second amnesty programme in Ogoni.

In fulfillment of the Governor directive, the Amnesty Committee Chairman, Mr. Chinda told the stakeholders meeting that amnesty would be extended to the youths of khana but emphasized the need for sincerity.

He said: “This second opportunity for amnesty is gold that Ogoni youths must grab to end the killings in their land. The leaders are meeting with me next week Wednesday.

“Cultists should not mess this second window His Excellency has given to them. This opportunity may elude them if they don’t surrender their weapons. There is nothing like amnesty without the surrendering of weapons. We will continue to sound it loud and clear on the need for the youths of Ogoni to surrender their weapons,” he said.