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Tag: amnesty

  • Buhari offers amnesty to repentant Boko Haram members

    Boko Haram members willing to surrender their arms will be granted amnesty, President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday.

    The President made the offer while receiving 105 Dapchi secondary schoolgirls and two Dapchi Primary School pupils earlier abducted by the insurgent group at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The insurgents had invaded Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19 and abducted 111 girls.

    Receiving the girls in Abuja two days after they were returned by the militant sect, Buhari said the Federal Government was ready to rehabilitate penitent members of the sect and reintegrate them into the society.

    He said: “While further efforts are being made to secure the release of every abducted citizen in Nigeria, Government is ever ready to accept the unconditional laying down of arms by any member of the Boko Haram group who shows strong commitment in that regard.

    “We are ready to rehabilitate and integrate such repentant members into the larger society.

    “This country has suffered enough of hostility. Government is, therefore, appealing to all to embrace peace for the overall development of our people and the country.”

    Making a formal announcement of the return of the abducted girls, the President said: “I am delighted to formally announce to Nigerians and our International friends and partners this morning that 107 Dapchi students previously abducted have been unconditionally released by their abductors.

    “This cheering and hearty development signifies our commitment to the security and wellbeing of all Nigerians.

    “We are never in doubt about our focus and direction since the assumption of this Administration. Security, anti-corruption and revamping of our economy are the main focus of our government.

    “You will recall that on the 14th of this month, I paid a visit to Yobe State during which I sympathised with the parents, families, government and people of the state for the tragic abduction of the students in Dapchi.

    “I made a solemn pledge on my word of honour that this administration would do everything possible to ensure the unconditional release of the girls.

    “I further tasked all the appropriate security agencies to safely bring back the girls.

    “We also reached out to our contacts at home and abroad. We embarked on backchannel shuttles with a clear view to bring this tragedy to an end.

    “We entered into negotiations solely to make sure that no single girl was hurt. This strategy paid off as the girls have been released without any incidents.”

    Turning his attention to the rescued girls, the President assured them of their security and freedom to pursue their dreams as Nigerian citizens.

    He said: “To the rescued students, we want to reassure you as our daughters that you will freely live and pursue your dreams in Nigeria of peace and order without fear of violence or molestation.

    “While parents of the Dapchi girls rejoice because of their reunion with their children, I want to appeal to the Chibok community never to lose hope or to despair.

    “We are determined as never before, to bring back our remaining Chibok daughters. This we must accomplish, and that will be soon by God’s grace.”

    The President also warned politicians who play politics with security issues to desist from it, saying that government would no longer tolerate it.

    He said: “May I also warn against those elements who have chosen to make political fortune of our citizens’ misfortune.

    “Government would not tolerate any attempt by any person or group to trivialise or politicise security issues for politically motivated ends.

    “Accordingly, security agencies would not hesitate to decisively deal with such unscrupulous characters.”

    The President also warned security agencies against any laxity that could result in any form of abduction, saying that those involved in such laxity will be viewed seriously.

    The President said: “Let me re-emphasise our administration’s commitment to the fight against terrorism and insurgency, and also call on all Nigerians to join in this task.

    “The security services have since been directed to put in place further measures around all schools vulnerable to attacks to ensure the safety of our pupils/students and teachers and school workers.

    “I have tasked all the security agencies to work to ensure that we do not witness any reoccurrence of these incidents. Security Chiefs have been warned in clear terms that any lapse on their parts will be viewed seriously.” he said

    He thanked all Nigerians, who prayed and showed solidarity with families of the abducted students during the period of the abduction in spite of their political differences.

    “This, undoubtedly, is the Nigerian spirit. We can and should sustain it beyond moments of sorrow.

    “I remain thankful to the International Community and our friends who offered varying degrees of assistance during the backchannel communications.

    “May I on behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria extend our appreciation to the security agencies for their loyal and tireless efforts in making this day a reality.”

    One of the pupils, Fatima Bashir, who spoke on behalf of the students, thanked God for saving their lives.

    The 14-year-old JSS 3 pupil concluded her speech by saying “God bless you sir.”

  • Amnesty programme to train 2,000 N/Delta ex-agitators – Boroh

    Amnesty programme to train 2,000 N/Delta ex-agitators – Boroh

    The Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme ( PAP ), Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (Rtd) says that the programme will train 2,000 ex-militants in various trades to ensure sustained development in Niger-Delta region.

    Boroh, who is also the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, made the disclosure in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

    “We plan to train 2,000 ex-agitators in addition to the ones we have empowered before, to ensure continuous development of the Niger-Delta region.

    “I believe that when these people are adequately trained and well empowered, the Niger Delta region will become a good place for all to live.

    “The trainees will help boost economic activities of the region, because when the youths do not have a sustainable economic path, our families and communities suffer,” he said.

    He said that the proposed training would be in various fields to enable the beneficiaries acquire different skills, in line with their areas of interest.

    Boroh added that allowing them get trained in their areas of interest, would bring about passion for the skill, and ensure sustenance and ability to judiciously utilize the skills acquired.

    The coordinator said the beneficiaries would be trained in agriculture, restaurant and bar, timber saw and milling, baking, interior decoration, boat construction, film making, communication skills and fine arts.

    He explained that some of the trainees would prefer to go into artistic skill that would make them create something from nothing, something beautiful from something ugly.

    According to Boroh, PAP is looking at manipulative skills, in which a person learns to handle objects with precision, speed and control.

    “We can say that art is a skill obtained through practice. These largely involve physical activities with the use of hand and body coordination to execute a task,” he explained.

    The presidential aide said that the ex-agitators would also be schooled in communication and literacy, decision making, occupational requirements, problem solving, time management and planning skills.

    “These skills will help them cope easily with the daily challenges of life in terms of making decisions and expressing themselves.

    “The empowerment will facilitate good leadership and entrepreneurship, to attaining meaningful development and make the beneficiaries to be financially independent.

    “The training is part of the ongoing re-integration programme of PAP,’’ he said.

    We recall that the Amnesty Programme had in the past trained and empowered over 6,000 ex- agitators in their choice areas of businesses.

    NAN

  • Adeosun, Fowler for Kaduna tax amnesty symposium

    Adeosun, Fowler for Kaduna tax amnesty symposium

    The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun will on Thursday, March , lead a  Federal Government delegation to the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) stakeholders’ symposium in Kaduna State.

    The VAIDS stakeholders’ symposium is being hosted by the Kaduna State Government, and will be attended by the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler members of the State Executive Council, members of the State House of Assembly, and traditional rulers.

    Also expected at the tax amnesty sensitisation forum, according to a statement issued by the FIRS, are business leaders, business owners and groups, tax advisers, captains of industries as well as professional and artisan bodies, among other strategic economic groupings within Kaduna State and environs.

    The statement noted that the VAIDS stakeholders’ symposium was aimed at promoting greater public understanding of the procedure for the tax amnesty scheme. “The one-day stakeholder engagement event by the Federal Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Kaduna State government is aimed at forging mutually beneficial cooperation between the Government and diverse socio-economic interest groups for the success of the VAIDS scheme”, the government agency said.

  • ‘Boroh has innovated Amnesty’

    ‘Boroh has innovated Amnesty’

    LEADERSHIP of the Coalition of APC Youth Support Groups in Southsouth has passed a vote-of-confidence in the coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig. Gen. Paul Boroh.

    It said Boroh has innovated the programme since he assumed office.

    Chairman of the coalition, Fubara Dagogo, at a news conference in Abuja, yesterday, said the programme had lived up to its mandate, which is to “constructively resolve conflicts in the Niger Delta region.”

    He said their assessment of Gen. Boroh showed that his office never discriminated against participants of the programme despite his political inclination.

    He said the coordinator should see challenges facing the leadership of amnesty as reason to do more as success comes with challenges.

    Dagogo said Gen. Boroh successfully brought discipline into the programme by ensuring that repentant agitators were not only reform but groomed for  leadership roles in the society, to ensure development of the region and beyond.

    The group urged the amnesty boss to strive to achieve more in capacity building for ex-militants, saying “he should not be distracted but remain focus while reaching out to affected youths, communities, states and traditional rulers in the region.

    “This assignment given to Gen. Boroh by Mr. President has proved that he (Boroh) has leadership capacity to turn things around, if given more political opportunity in serving his people and the nation. We, the youth in Southsouth, so much believe in his leadership style and humble nature and call on him to make up his mind for an elective office in future.

    “We are also calling on other appointees in the region to emulate Gen. Boroh’s humility in leadership, which we believe has paid off in living up to expectation in his assignment.”

    The APC youth group, however, called on stakeholders to cooperate with the leadership by giving peace a chance.

  • Rivers accuses Fed Govt of plot to grant amnesty to ’32 cultists’ 

    Rivers accuses Fed Govt of plot to grant amnesty to ’32 cultists’ 

    Rivers State government yesterday accused the Federal Government of plotting to grant amnesty to 32 suspected cultists.

    Information and Communication Commissioner Emma Okah made the allegation at a news conference in Port Harcourt.

    He said: “The Rivers State government is in receipt of credible intelligence that the Federal Government has concluded plans to grant amnesty to 32 cultists declared wanted by the State Security Council.  Details of the intelligence indicate that the Federal Government is granting the cultists amnesty for the purpose of undue electoral advantage in 2019 general election.

    “This action is not a surprise to us because we have repeatedly said officials and agencies of the Federal Government are frustrating the fight against crime in Rivers State. In particular, we have accused the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of involvement in and aiding criminal activities.

    “This sad development coming at a time the state is winning the war against kidnappers and cultists is a major setback and a ploy to undermine the security of Rivers State.

    “Each time, we record successes in the promotion of security, the Federal Government and its agents take deliberate steps to sabotage the security of the state at the instigation of some unpatriotic Rivers sons at the centre.

    “We call on the international community, civil society organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to take notice of this deliberate act to compromise the security of Rivers State for ungodly political gains by All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government. For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State government will continue to work with security agencies to ensure the security of life and property.”

  • Amnesty is stabilising Niger Delta, says Boroh

    Amnesty is stabilising Niger Delta, says Boroh

    The Presidential Amnesty programme is fulfilling its mandate of providing peace in the Niger Delta through its training and empowerment of ex-militants, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta/ Coordinator Presidential Amnesty Programme Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh has said.

    Gen. Boroh spoke at a meeting with stakeholders to analyse the programme journey so far.

    He said: “We have successfully trained 21,805 amnesty beneficiaries in both our local and overseas universities and in vocational training institutions within and outside Nigeria as pilots, marine engineers, oil and gas engineers medical doctors, lawyers etc, they have become valuable generation of skilled youths that are contributing positively to national development.

    “Also, in line with government economic diversification policy, large numbers of our trained delegates are now empowered and deployed into various fields of agriculture and its value chain in order to revamp Nigeria economy.”

    Gen. Boroh said 131 offshore  universities/institutions were engaged to  train1,723 delegate. 1,523 have graduated. The remaining 200 will graduate this year.

    He added that 1054 ex-militants have graduated from Nigerian universities and 2843 are at various stages of their scholarship programme and most will graduate in 2018. Also, the services of 200 local and foreign Skills Acquisition Centres was utilised to train 15,140 beneficiaries. Under its post training empowerment, 4,203 have been empowered and delegates have established their businesses, they are now entrepreneurs and are helping to provide gainful employments to other youths.

    On his 2018 programme plans, Gen. Boroh stated that his office will continue to deepen its agricultural empowerment programme in line with Federal Government’s green alternative initiative and use it to create jobs for youths.

    He revealed that training of delegates has commenced in cluster farms in the nine Niger Delta states.

    “My office has projected to empower and create 10,000 new farms owners, who will then employ 40,000 farm workers, their logistics and processing agricultural value chain will also p create additional 30,000 new jobs, thus making our Agricultural empowerment scheme to provide 80,000 new jobs.”

    The Presidential Amnesty Coordinator revealed that his office has concluded discussions with a trawler company, the Greek Fisheries Institute, to use the Burutu sea port in Delta State to train and engage 1000 ex-militants into commercial aquaculture fishing business.

  • Militants, vandals surrender arms in Ondo

    Militants, vandals surrender arms in Ondo

    Militants terrorising parts of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states submitted their arms on Monday evening to embrace Federal Government’s Amnesty programme.

    The militants were said to be behind the abduction of six Senior Secondary School (SSS)m pupils of Lagos Model College at Igbonla, near Epe in Lagos State; Arepo pipeline vandalisation and several attacks in the riverine areas of Ondo State.

    The militants were led by Ogailo Iborry Young (aka O.C) to the Collection and Documentation of Arms Centre in Ajapa community in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    They willingly dropped their arms and other weapons.

    The event, witnessed by Deputy Governor and Chairman of Ondo State Amnesty Committee, Agboola Ajayi, representatives of Delta State government, the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base at Igbokoda, Navy Captain Usman Yahaya, among others, was seen as the solution to restoring peace in the riverine area.

    Some of the surrendered arms include Browning wz machine gun, Daewoo K3, Colt automatic rifles, general purpose machine gun, Breda 30, Fiat Revelli modelling, AK-47 rifles, rocket launcher, CETME Ameli, Heckler & Koch MG4, pump action and some automatic cartridges.

    Also, the repentant militants surrendered military uniforms, police bulletproof vests, dynamites, grenades, bombs and helmets.

    Iborry Young expressed appreciation to the state and the Federal Government for the fresh Amnesty initiative.

    The militant leader traced the source of their arms to the Ijaw/Ilaje crisis of 1998/1999, blaming it on joblessness, poverty and government neglect.

    He said: “If we may be asked our reasons for embarking on this struggle, our simple assertion to the public and other concerned authorities is that it is joblessness, suffering, poverty, oppression and neglect by the government.”

    Iborry said the militants dumped their oil bunkering business and hatched another game plan to attract the attention of the government.

    He said: “As it got to this point, we did not find life very easy. Thus, we relocated to Ogun State where the Government College at Igbonla, near Epe school boys were kidnapped. Their release led to the present arrangement through the courageous efforts of the deputy governors of Ondo and Delta states.

    “We did not kidnap these boys for mere ransom but to negotiate our freedom and full reintegration into civil life.”

    Ajayi said the amnesty was impressive as sophisticated ammunitions were surrendered.

    The deputy governor assured the repentant militants of Federal Government’s readiness to provide job and education programmes, among others, to the repentant militants for them to be self-reliant, if they embrace peace.

    He rejoiced with residents of Ajapa community for the restored peace in the community after years of face-off between them and the military.

    Also, Navy Captain Yahaya said the exercise in Ajapa community was more impressive because of the record of the exercise since it started.

    Five militant groups – the Awaja, Ogoolorunyo (led by Job), Ebie, Dragon and Atupa – had submitted their arms to embrace the Amnesty programme.

  • Repentant Militants surrender massive arms, weapons in Ondo.

    Repentant Militants surrender massive arms, weapons in Ondo.

    Militants in the riverine area of Ondo state, who embraced the amnesty programme of the Federal government in the state have trooped out in large number to surrender their arms and ammunition.

    The exercise which started on Thursday has recorded massive turn out of militants in the five collation centers including Igbekebo, Arogbo, Igbonla, Ajapa, and Igbokoda, all in the southern senatorial district of the state.

    Men of the Nigeria Army, the Navy , Police, and civil defence as well as representatives of each militant camp are present at the collation centers to ensure only authentic militants benefit from the program.

    Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the militants to submit their arms in the area.

    The amnesty program was part of the requests made by the kidnappers of the six students of Igbonla Model School, Epe Lagos state.

    The government of Ondo state who played a major role in securing the release of the students promised to facilitate the amnesty program.

    Deputy governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi who took the risk to effect the release and safety of the students is the Chairman of the amnesty program in the state.

    Already, the repentant militants have been submitting their arms which included pump action, Dane guns, live ammunitions, locally made artillery weapons among others.

    Ajayi, shortly after touring two of the collections  points in Igbokoda and Igbekebo on Friday said he was delighted with the level of turnout of the repentant armed youths who came out from creeks to submit their weapons to embrace the amnesty of the Federal Government.

    He called on those in the hideout to utilize the window of opportunity offered  by the government, adding that whoever fail to utilize the opportunity would be dealt with by the Federal Government.

    The Commanding Officer of the Nigeria Navy Forward Operation Base, lgbokoda, Navy Captain Chindo Usman Yahaya, described the turnout as impressive.

    The Commander however said that it would be difficult to ascertain the number of weapons submitted since the commencement of the disarmament process.

    One of the repentant commander of the armed youths, Osipapa Take Lion, lauded the federal and the Ondo state governments for the privilege given to them to lay down their arms.

  • Amnesty: Over 400 militants to surrender arms in Ondo

    Amnesty: Over 400 militants to surrender arms in Ondo

    Over 400 members of a militant group in Ondo State, the United Sea Wolf Avengers, have announced plans to surrender their arms to the Federal Government.

    The group made the announcement in a statement yesterday in Lagos by its leader, “General” Deji Ehinmowo and General Secretary “General” Akinfemi Raymond.

    The Ondo State government, on October 23, announced that the Federal Government would, on November 9, incorporate ex-militants in the  state willing to surrender their arms, into the Amnesty programme.

    The group said its over 400 members from five camps would use the second phase of the Amnesty programme to surrender their arms.

    The statement said: “We want to appeal to the Armed Forces and other security agents not to compromise standard in the coming Amnesty programme, scheduled for November 9 in Ondo State.

    “During the first phase of the Amnesty in 2009, ‘General’ Deji Ehinmowo, leader of United Sea Wolf Avengers, was served a letter, dated July 16, 2009 …by the Federal Government on the need for his camp to embrace Amnesty.

    “He then insisted that using Amnesty proclamation as an avenue to purchase arms for political thugs would not be accepted.

    “We are ready and prepared to cooperate with the Federal Government to ensure that the programme achieves its desired results.

    “Four hundred militants from five camps under us have dissociated themselves from the planned vandalism of pipeline in Niger Delta.

    “We are ready to dialogue with the Federal Government now.”

     

  • Amnesty: 400 militants to surrender arms in Ondo

    Amnesty: 400 militants to surrender arms in Ondo

    More than 400 members of a militant group in Ondo State, United Sea Wolf Avengers, have announced plan to surrender arms and their inclusion in the Federal Government’s Amnesty programme.

    The group made the announcement in a statement issued and signed by its leader, Gen. Deji Ehinmowo and the General Secretary, Gen. Akinfemi Raymond, in Lagos on Monday.

    The Ondo State Government, had on Oct. 23, announced that the Federal Government would on Nov. 9 incorporate ex-militants in the riverine area of the state who are willing to surrender their arms for the Amnesty programme.

    The group said its 400 members from five different camps would use the opportunity created by the Second Phase of Amnesty programme of Federal Government to surrender their arms.

    “We humbly want to appeal to Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agents not to compromise standard in the coming Amnesty programme scheduled for Nov. 9, 2017 in Ondo State.

    “During the first phase of the Amnesty in 2009, Gen. Deji Ehinmowo, leader of United Sea Wolf Avengers, was served a letter dated July 16, 2009 with reference number NOA/OD/AW/02 by the Federal Government on the need for his camp to embrace Amnesty.
    “He then insisted that using Amnesty proclamation as avenue to purchase arms for the political thugs will not be accepted.
    “We are ready and prepared to cooperate with the Federal Government to ensure that the programme achieves its desire results.
    “400 militants from five camps under us have dissociated themselves from the planned vandalism of pipeline in Niger Delta.
    “We are ready to dialogue with Federal Government now,” it said.

    According to the group, we want to ensure that there is peace in the riverine communities in Ondo state.

    It assured the oil companies and investors in the riverine community of the state of their safety at all time