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Over 200 Militants Surrender their Arms in Imo State
Some militants in Imo State, on Tuesday surrendered their arms and vowed never to go back to the creeks, Vanguard reports.
The disarmament ceremony which took place at the government House, Owerri, was witnessed by the various security agencies including the Army and Police.
The Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha accepted over 200 of the former militants from the oil rich communities of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.
The governor said that his government will continue to interact with the militants as well as look into some areas of their welfare.
“I am here to rescue my children so that there will be no shooting by the Police and Army. I am here also to receive your message and deliver them to the Federal Government. I am speaking to you as a father of the land and assure you of proper reintegration into the society,” he said.
He also extended the submission of arms by the militants till next week Thursday.
Some of the militant’s leaders who were present at the disarmament ceremony include; Banga, Bobby Uzoma (commander general), Modestus Gift (No mercy).
They called on the government to ‘compel’ the oil companies in their communities to begin implementation of developmental programmes to improve their living standard.
According to Bobby Uzoma, “we have been abandoned since 2011 we submitted our arms since 2011 and because the government neglected us we went back to creek. We are also pleading that the oil companies in our area should begin empowerment of our people.”
Photo Credits: Vanguard | Facebook/Senjohn Ferdinand Obinnaya
