– About 2000 cultists have reportedly surrendered their arms to the Rivers state government
– The cultists from various cult groups embraced the amnesty initiative in the state
– A large cache of weapons were recovered from the exercise
About 2,000 members of various cult groups on Saturday embraced the amnesty declared by the Rivers state government under the leadership of Governor Nyesom Wike.
File photo: Cultists lay down arms in Rivers state.
The cult members, who were involved in kidnappings, killings and armed robberies in the past, surrendered their weapons before members of the state Amnesty Committee in Isiokpo, the headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
According to The Punch, some of the weapons laid down were AK 47 rifles, G3, dane guns, dynamite, NATO gun and detonators.
Speaking shortly after receiving weapons from the repentant militants, the Chairman of the Amnesty Committee, Mr. Ken Chinda, explained that peace was expected to return to Ikwerre council area after the event.
While identifying the cult groups as Iceland and Debam, Chinda urged them not to go back to crime, adding that the state government was sincere about helping them to achieve their dreams.
File photo: Some cultists apprehended by security operatives.
He also declared two of the cult leaders, Samuel Nkasiobi, aka Italian, and Okechukwu Amadi, aka Gunboat as enemies of the state for refusing to accept amnesty.
“We are all witnesses to what some misguided youths have done in Ikwerre LGA where people are predominantly farmers. Many could not farm because the militants are living in the forest where their farms are located,” Chinda added
He urged them to shun acts capable of discouraging investors from doing business in the state.
The council chairman said the two cult leaders, who refused to accept the state government’s amnesty, would be declared wanted after a week.
He added that the sum of N10m would be paid to anybody that could give any information on their whereabouts.
Meanwhile, a cult group raided Eteo community in Eleme local government area of Rivers state, killing scores of people, including a pregnant woman. The raid was carried out in the night of Saturday, October 15.
Leadership reports that this is as doctors in a hospital located in the area rallied round to rescue the baby from the womb of the pregnant woman shot dead along with others by the suspected cultists.
Also, the community has become a ghost town as residents have deserted the community seeking refuge at Ogale, Alode, Alesa and Agbonchia communities, all in Eleme local government area of the state.
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