Okorocha pardons militants in Imo

Governor Rochas Okorocha ofImo State, on Wednesday, granted unconditional pardon to militants from Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta local councils of the state. The pardoned militants reportedly voluntarily surrendered their arms to the state government.

The event was at a ceremony held at the Government House, Owerri, which was witnrssed by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr.Taiwo Lakanu , Army Commander, Director of State Security Service(DSSS) and other security Chiiefs in the state. There were over 500 militants in attendance.

Governor Okorocha who advised them to embrance peace and assured them the state government would take the necessary steps to ensure that their needs were met. He called on other militants who are yet to submit their arms to do so before Thursday next week.

According to him, repentant militants would be given the responsibility of guiding oil pipelines in their various councils, stating that the pardon granted to them was designed to bring them back to the society and contribute meaningfully to the society.
He said that the presence of the militar y and Police was to maintain peace and order in the oil producing areas .
Also speaking, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor and the state chairman Amnesty Committee, Mr.Kingsley Uju stated that his Committee discovered the oil companies operating in the areas have not done enough in área of infrastructural development .
He said that some of the agitators have been in the bush for over three years fighting for better infastructure and appealed to the federal government to grant amnesty to the militants .
The leaders militants who spoke differently promised laid down their arms.”We have agreed to stop killing ourselves. We gain nothing destroyjng our brothers and sisters .We have killed enough and therefore , there is the need to embrance peace.”