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  • NLC backs Amnesty International to defend the weak

    NLC backs Amnesty International to defend the weak

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has pledged to support Amnesty International Nigeria in defending the rights of the vulnerable in the society.

    Its President, Ayuba Wabba, stated this during a solidarity visit to Amnesty International (AI) in Abuja.

    The NLC also condemned the protest against AI by a group, Global Peace and Rescue Initiative (GOPRI), asking the AI to leave the country.

    The group claimed that an Amnesty report that accused the Nigerian Army of extra-judicial killings was false. Several civil society groups have since condemned GOPRI and pledged support for AI.

    Wabba said this had become imperative as rights of Nigerians, especially vulnerable groups such as women, children and the less privileged, were being trampled upon.

    “I want to assure you of the support of the NLC and the working class because as workers, our rights have been trampled upon several times. You are aware of the fact that across the states, salaries, pension and gratuity are not being paid as at when due. This is a violation of the rights of workers,” Wabba said.

    He, therefore, said the NLC needed to stand side by side with organisations like AI to continue to protect the most vulnerable groups against the powerful and the rich in the society.

    “We have documented some of these challenges that our people have gone through,” Wabba said, adding that the NLC would continue to partner AI in the fight for social justice, anti-corruption, good governance, accountability and in the dignity of the human beings.

    The NLC President condemned GOPRI’s protest at AI’s Abuja office on March 21, saying that the AI was an organisation known globally and had worked extensively on human rights in many countries.

    “For such issues to arise, especially the hiring of people to come and protest in this office is something that we condemn as organised labour. I really sympathise with you on what has happened.

    “Nigerians are already aware that this was a sponsored protest. It is something that is condemnable. We should not allow those business persons that have actually privatised protest as means of getting money to continue in the business,” Achese added.

    He assured that the NLC would not stop the struggle to ensure better life for the workforce, adding that it would continue to collaborate with the organised labour to carry out humanitarian services.

    Chairman Trustee, Amnesty International Nigeria, Auwal Rafasanjani, commended the NLC for the solidarity visit.

    Rafasanjani said the AI was a reputable organisation that works on accountability.

  • Stranded Amnesty scholarship students seek Osinbajo’s intervention

    This is not the best of times for the Niger Delta Scholarship students studying abroad under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). They are complaining of hard times because of what they refer to as poor funding of the programme.

    In fact, they want the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to wade into the financial difficulties facing the programme. They want Osinbajo to treat their matter with seriousness in the spirits of the ongoing move by the Federal Government to find lasting solutions to the crisis in the Niger Delta.

    The students’ representatives, Mr. Emomotimi Pius, in a statement, lamented that they were no longer allowed by their schools to undertake academic activities for not paying their tuition fees. Pius said they were also facing eviction from their accommodation over nonpayment of school fees and in-training allowances.

    He said: “It has come to our notice how the ministries of finance, budgeting and planning, the Accountant-General and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are frustrating the Amnesty Programme by not releasing funds being approved by President Muhammad Buhari to the Amnesty Office.

    “We are making it known to the general public the suffering the Niger Delta students are facing in foreign land due to poor funding of the amnesty programme.

    “Students have also been asked to return back to Nigeria from America due to inadequate funding of the programme. We are totally against such decision of abrupt termination of our education.

    He further said that students from the various universities were yet to receive a dime from the little sum of money that was released to the amnesty office.

    He noted that Swansea University, Wales; Hertfordshire University, Hartfield; University of Portsmouth; University of Plymouth, University of Birmingham and others had not received their money for  five months.

    “We are in our final year of study and will be graduating soon. We are calling on the acting president, the House of Rep and Senate to take the necessary steps to salvage us from this precarious situation we are in due to lack of funds.

    “While we commend the effort of the Acting president in seeking sustainable peace in Niger Delta through his visits to various states in the region, we call on all youths, ex-agitators, in the region to embrace the move.

    “We are calling on the Finance Minister, the Minister of Budgeting and Planning, Accountant-General and the Governor of CBN to stop frustrating the effort of the Special Adviser and Coordinator of the Amnesty Hrogramme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd) in achieving success in the amnesty programme.

    “We are asking they stop playing politics with the release of funds for the amnesty program and support the effort of the special adviser in bringing the needed peace in Niger Delta and Nigeria”.

  • DHQ warns Amnesty, others to stop meddling in Nigeria’s security affairs

    DHQ warns Amnesty, others to stop meddling in Nigeria’s security affairs

    THE Nigerian Defence Headquarters has warned international rights group, Amnesty International (AI) and other non-governmental organisations to desist from meddling in Nigeria’s security affairs.
    Acting Director, Defence Information Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, in a statement in Abuja, said reports from AI showed that it never meant well for Nigeria.
    AI criticised the military, accusing it of gross human rights abuses and extra-judicial killings in the Southeast and Northeast.
    But Abubakar said the military maintained an open door policy and had been cooperating with stakeholders in ensuring that the armed forces remained one of the best and a proud institution for Nigerians.
    Abubakar said: “Activities of AI in our nation have shown that AI never meant well for Nigeria and the situation is getting clearer to national and international communities what the AI is up to.
    “This could be corroborated by inherent lopsidedness in the AI’s portrayal of Nigeria, its involvement in local politics and taking sides with terrorists and other belligerent groups to cause internal disorder, which no country can tolerate.
    “The military in this new dispensation has maintained open door policy and has been cooperating with all stakeholders in ensuring that Nigerian Armed Forces remain one of the best and a proud institution for all Nigerians.
    “For AI to be making spurious allegation, especially without substantiated and cogent reason, apart from those adduced by the AI itself for the reason best known to it and its collaborators, is disturbing and unethical of an international organisation that is supposed to stay clear of local politics and to be seen as maintaining neutrality in its reportage of the countries it operates.”
    The Defence spokesperson said incessant negative report on Nigeria and the armed forces by AI “was condemnable by well-meaning Nigerians who have seen and appreciated what the military and other security agencies did to decimate Boko Haram terrorists and contain criminal elements”.
    He alleged AI actions in Nigeria would succeed in giving insight into the possibility of the organisation sponsoring criminal gangs in achieving the sponsor’s intent.
    Abubakar added: “As much as the military welcomes comments, criticisms and observations that could help the institution to grow higher for the interest of our nation, the activities of the AI, to say the least, is far from being noble.  Al has negative mission in Nigeria.  It is an agent of destabilisation, masquerading as a reputable international NGO, which Nigerians must rise up to this daunting challenge of not giving it  the chance to truncate our hard earned democracy and unity.
    “It does not operate like this in other nations of the world. Hence, the military once again condemns the activities of the AI and its affiliates in Nigeria. It is not until you write negative report about Nigeria before you are seen as working or justifying the huge amount you receive from international bodies.
    “While the military and other security agencies remain focus in tackling the mirage of security problems in our nation, we urge our citizens, partners and international communities to continue to support Nigeria in its quest to free us from the hands of criminal elements, which AI and its cohorts are supporting.
    “It is our conviction that, despite AI fanning the ember of disunity, hate and destabilisation  in our land, Nigeria would continue to remain united, strong and prosperous to take her rightful place in the comity of nations.

  • Rights group flays Amnesty over human rights report

    A human rights group, Global Amnesty Watch (GAW), has faulted the report by the Amnesty International (AI) which criticized the way the Nigerian military had prosecuted the war against terrorism, especially in the northeast.

    Speaking in Abuja, the President of the group and human rights activist, Philip Agbese, said AI had issued several reports in the past which openly lied against Nigeria, the government and critical institutions with the sole intent of undermining them.

    The United Kingdom based group said the report of AI openly sided with terrorists, insurgents and separatists while treating Nigerians as enemies. “As has been the case in the past, while it may have other motives in other countries, the intention in Nigeria is to blackmail the military and security institutions into not being able to discharge their statutory duties,” Agbese said.

    He said the terror groups like Boko Haram and Niger Delta Avengers have at various times carried out unwarranted attacks on peace-loving Nigerians and members of the Nigerian military who get killed while trying to stop terror attacks.

    Agbese: “ In the case of this latest report issued by AI, lies have again been packaged as truth, their methodology consists of trawling news report, AI also speaks with so called witnesses that have in the past been proven to be nothing but paid actors, especially when the NGO often speak with them over the phone and therefore unable to properly verify identities.

  • Amnesty office to establish 10,000 farms, targets N58b annually

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme Office plans to establish 10,000 farms with an expected total revenue generation capacity of N58 billion annually under its agricultural programme for 2017.

    The Coordinator of the programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

    According to Boroh, If 10, 000 ex-agitators are successfully trained to be farm owners, they can employ 40, 000 farm workers and create a logistics processing value chain of 30, 000 Jobs across the Niger Delta.

    “The impact of this initiative on the economy is that if each of the 10,000 ex-agitators are gainfully trained, they may generate N240 million yearly which will amount to N240 billion.

    “While the 40,000 farm workers will in return also generate N600, 000 each which is N24 billion, while logistics/processing will yield N360,000 for 30,000 workers yearly which will amount to N14.8 billion.

    “You can see that the agricultural sector provides more employment opportunities to the labour force which can reduce the high rate of unemployment in developing countries caused by the fast growing population,’’ he said.

    He said the initiative by Presidential Amnesty Office was geared toward ensuring that people of the Niger Delta region earned a living rather than beg for it.

    “Nigeria is blessed with arable land that tolerates cultivation for all seasons.

    “The Niger Delta people are committed to exploring the agricultural potential of this nation to its maximum advantage.

    “Today, processing, marketing and distribution of crops and livestock products are all acknowledged as part of agriculture,’’ Boroh added.

     

     

     

  • Preparing Amnesty Programme for safe landing

    As the end of year approaches, it naturally lends itself for reflection. A stocktaking which in a sense,  is the circle of life itself; a constant process of inevitable change which ensures that there is a progression towards desired goals.

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme  which began in 2009 is an effective  strategy for Conflict Resolution.

    With my experience as the  last Commanding Officer of ECOMOG  in Sierra Leone and as the  Chief of Staff of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, the Nigerian Amnesty Programme is a master stroke of Political Engineering put together by the Federal Government.  The UN spends lots of money on its peace programmes  in West Africa because Amnesty by its very nature, is a very expensive programme therefore the Federal Government  should be commended for being able to execute such a  magnificent programme. But no amount of efforts, time and resources  spent to achieve peace  is too much. It is a  commendable  achievement for our country to disarm thousands of youths and attain a high measure of peace which has enabled the Ministries of the Niger Delta Affairs, the  Environment, and the NDDC to move into the Region to   carry out development projects like the massive Ogoni Clean-Up Project.

    Amnesty is a tasking process of  Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) for which the last phase being  Reintegration,  is in fact, the most difficult. The phase  actually comprises  five parts;  Reorganization, Reconstruction,  Rebuilding, Reinsertion, Reconciliation – of aggrieved persons- leading to sustainable Reintegration.

    One of the major achievements the Amnesty Office has made this year is to put in place offices  where we have  embassies to manage  beneficiaries.  We also established  a Twenty Four-Hour  Call Centre to handle complaints and reports from across the world, as well as provide the needed Real Time Information. We have also gotten  representatives in various states where we operate a Liaison Office manned by an  Information Manager who also liaises with Agencies, groups and individuals in the Region.

    Another outstanding achievement   is  the domestication  of  almost all the training programmes of the   Office including those on  formal Education,  Vocation and Post-Vocation Training. This has  reduced costs – as the Foreign Exchange component  is drastically reduced  thereby enhancing  it also means that more youths  can be trained. Large numbers of the Amnesty Beneficiaries  have graduated or are graduating this year, and another major bulk is scheduled to graduate in 2017. The implication of this is that more people are being empowered because we  consider a University Degree as empowerment. It also means that a steady flow of beneficiaries will exit the Programme. We have also conducted  a  biometric verification of beneficiaries in some areas of the Niger Delta, and we are spreading  the exercise to all other states covered by the Programme.

    We have also invested in entrepreneurial programmes under which beneficiaries are trained in areas of their choice, and are given starter packs by the Office to establish their own businesses  and become not only self -employed, but also employers of labour.

    The focus of the present administration  under His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on agriculture has become a winning formula for  us in the Amnesty Programme. Working with agencies like the Bio- Resources Centre at Odi, Bayelsa State we have sent Beneficiaries to be trained in Improved Technology Agriculture. On Tuesday December 20, 2016, 97 Beneficiaries  graduated from the Centre. Four hundred and three others will graduate in the next four months.

    By way of  challenges, this year, there has been some reoccurrence of oil facilities vandalism. To stem it, at a point, I relocated to the creeks in order to reach out to elders, youths,  stakeholders Traditional Rulers and   various camp leaders. We have recorded some success with this approach. More importantly, the Presidency is addressing directly, aspects of complaints from  the Niger Delta Region which  sprout from the genuine concerns of the  people. The importance of this is underlined by the Presidency’s on-going engagement with the  Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF)

    There are of course aspects that are pure criminality which have nothing to do with the aspirations and interests of the Niger Delta  people. This is being addressed by the Security Agencies. It is  appropriate at this point, to advise people in the Niger Delta  to always take the path of dialogue and negotiation in resolving  issues. We must work for peace, sustain  and develop it if we hope to develop the Niger Delta Region.

    There is  also the challenge of  Small Arms  and Light Weapons proliferation; this is of course a Continental, if not a Global challenge. We at the Amnesty Office are working with concerned Agencies like the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferation and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Development in Africa to curb this menace.

    The Amnesty Office is seeking various ways  to meet the challenge  of unemployment by bringing  Job Placement  Vacancies to the attention of youths in the Region,  encouraging them to develop their employability skills and encouraging them to take to Agriculture. This is a sure way of gainful Self-Employment  contributing to Food security in the country and revamping  the country’s ailing  economy.

    It is our prayer that  the New Year  2017 shall be a happy and rewarding one for all of us and our dear  country, Nigeria.

    • Brigadier-General Boroh (Rtd) is Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

     

  • Rivers’ amnesty: Vigilance groups reject ban

    Rivers’ amnesty: Vigilance groups reject ban

    The Rivers State amnesty committee has submitted its report to Governor Nyesom Wike. This marked the end of the amnesty programme in the state. PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA reports that some vigilance groups have criticised the committee’s report, rejecting moves by Wike to ban them. 

    On November 15, the Rivers State Amnesty Committee headed by Sir Ken Chinda, Special Adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike on Amnesty, submitted its report on the disarmament of cultists, militants and other criminal elements. But some of its findings have been criticised by some stakeholders who said they rejected the report and its implementation.

    Members of the committee, including the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigerian Police Force and the Department of State Services were present at Rivers State Government House where the weapons and ammunition were displayed before reporters.

    Though, before now, many, including the opposition party, have criticised the amnesty programme offered to cultists by Rivers State government. Some described it as amnesty for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs in Rivers State.

    Presenting his report to Governor Wike, Sir Chinda, who said 22,430 cultists and militants renounced cultism and embraced the amnesty programme offered by the state government recommended that security vigilance groups should be disbanded.

    He said various arms and ammunition were recovered from cult groups, militants and other criminal elements.

    He noted that the committee took time to explain to the cult groups and other criminals that the governor does not want money to be paid in exchange of the surrendered arms and ammunition.

    He also said the amnesty programme which provided honest and brighter future for the repentant youths recorded a huge success, adding that those who did not embrace the amnesty programme should be declared enemies of the state and subsequently arrested.

    Chinda said: “I wish to present an executive summary report of Rivers State Amnesty Committee on disarmament of cult and other criminal elements in the state.  In line with the governor’s execution of power to exercise the prerogative of mercy as it is enshrined in section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

    “The committee observed that there are cult groups in every community and local government area in Rivers State. The committee took time to explain to the groups that money will not be paid in exchange of the surrendered arms and ammunition. We also observed that cult and violence groups exist in all communities and local government areas in the state. Some communities have weapons which they use to prosecute communal wars. Community vigilance groups are also members of cult groups.

    “The reasons behind cult clash include communal wars, chieftaincy tussle, economic hardship and criminality. The fight for supremacy battle has led to some killings that are experienced in some communities. These cult groups parade with heavy firearms. Meanwhile, 22,430 cult members and militants renounced cultism and embraced the amnesty offered by the state government.”

    Responding immediately after the chairman of the committee presented his report, Governor Wike thanked the committee for proving the critics of the amnesty programme wrong, adding that he is satisfied with the job done by the committee.

    He called on the security agencies to arrest any cultist, militant that has refused to embrace the amnesty programme, stressing that “vigilance groups henceforth have been disbanded in the state”

    But the vigilance groups in Rivers State saw the amnesty report on the activities of the security vigilance group as an insult and discouragement to some vigilance groups that are rendering selfless services to various communities.

    Though, they accepted that members of some vigilance groups are committing atrocities in the name of rendering vigilance services, they added that governor Wike must act fast to lift the ban on some vigilance groups whose operations have nothing to do with criminality but service to the community.

    The Secretary, Diobu Vigilance Volunteer Group (DVVG), Prince Amatari Bipeledei said the ban of security vigilance groups is nothing but to give criminals license to operate freely, especially as the festive season is approaching.

    He said despite lack of encouragement on the part of the state government, his group, which is the only known and recognised group by the Police in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, has arrested more than 65 suspected criminals and recovered more than 200 stolen items since it began operation in 2011.

    Bipeledei said: “Diobu Vigilance Group is calling on Governor Wike to take a second thought on the disbandment of vigilance groups in Rivers State. We are not against the report of the amnesty committee; we maintain that the committee should have investigated thoroughly on the activities of security vigilance groups before sending its report to the governor.

    “It amounts to discouragement and disrespect to selfless service.

    “The disbandment of Vigilance groups in Rivers State will only give criminals the license to operate freely. The government should know that granting amnesty and recovery amunition from criminals does not put an end to criminality in any society. DVVG which operates in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area needs commendation and encouragement instead of humiliation. Diobu is calm today because of our relentless efforts in collaboration with the police.

    “Don’t forget that hoodlums in Diobu have started celebrating following the Governor’s ban on vigilance groups. We are expecting the government to investigate the operations of the vigilance groups.

    “The Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) within our jurisdiction are aware of our operations and they are in a good position to report on our contributions to the state in terms of security. But if the government refused to lift the ban, it will be disastrous.”

    Chairman, Ubima Vigilance Group, Mr. Innocent Elem, said he is in support of the  ban but disagreed that they shouldn’t have banned all the vigilance groups, insisting that not all vigilance groups operating in the state are into criminality.

    He called on Governor Wike to immediately set up a security committee to investigate the activities of the vigilance groups, stressing that the report of the committee would help the governor to know vigilance groups that are involved in criminality.

    Mr. Elem said: “As the Chairman of Ubima Vigilance Group,  I want to inform the governor  that we don’t bear guns. What we use are our phones for communication with the military and the police. The police are aware of our operations. Since we started operation, crime in our community has drastically reduced. So, it would be a setback for the government to ban us at the time when we have recorded success as confirmed by the people. I will also advise other vigilance groups that are into criminality to use this opportunity to amend their ways.”

    In separate reactions on the amnesty offered to the armed youths in Rivers State, some of the residents said there was no sincerity in Governor Wike’s amnesty even when it was obvious that some youths did not embrace the amnesty programme and did not denounce their cult membership.

    Mr. Emenike Amadi  said many armed youths did not accept the amnesty offer, alleging that the present government is  only compensating hoodlums who worked for them before, during and after the bloody 2015 elections.

    Amadi said: “Who are the youths that are being offered amnesty? We want to know if it is amnesty or compensation for a job well done. The government is compensating the bad boys in the name of amnesty.  Then, what happened to the families of those they murdered. As far as I’m concerned, I lost confidence from the day the amnesty committee was inaugurated.”

    However, the State Publicity Secretary of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Sammuel Nwanosike said Governor Wike cannot be deterred by cheap blackmail and allow youths who willingly accept amnesty to go back to their old ways.

    Nwanosike said: “Governor Wike did not give any cultists or militants money but settting up  a process that will better their lives. The committee has already recommended for their immediate rehabilitation and training. The amnesty programme was a successful one. The governor has the fighting spirit to end criminality. Offering amnesty for those who deserve it was right to give them the chance to become better persons in the society. And that was what Governor Wike did for those repentant youths who took a bold step to make history.

    The Chairman of Ikwerre Youths’ Movement (IYM) in Emohua Local Government Area, Sir Lucky Worluh said amnesty was not offered to those who deserved it but to those who are still into criminality.

    He said for someone to be given amnesty, the person must have genuinely repented of his evil ways and not youths who are not ready to change from their old ways.

    “If man gives amnesty, God has not given you amnesty. The governor has just given amnesty to criminals who have not repented. These boys are still killing, causing trouble in the state.

    Mr. Chigozi Orlu-Orlu, a legal practitioner said governor Wike should consider the porous security condition of the state in his decision to ban vigilance groups. He said the governor must think for an alternative measure to reduce stealing, burglary and other criminal acts.

    Orlu-orlu said: “I am in support of the ban of vigilance groups based on the report of the amnesty committee. But we must not forget that the groups are also assisting in curbing crimes. They fill the loophole created by inefficiency of the police. There are areas that these vigilance groups are needed. Though, some of them may be cult members at the same time it is the work of the security agency to scrutinise and profile them and not to ban all of them.”

    One of the challenges noted by the chairman of Rivers State amnesty committee was that some youths refused to embrace the amnesty offered to them. The governor, however, ordered for the arrest of cultists who declined the amnesty offered to them.

    Investigation revealed that some militants and cult groups gave reasons why they declined the amnesty.

    Two groups, Egi Freedom Fighters in the Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area and the Kalar Bomber in Ikwerre Local Government Area said they refused to accept the amnesty offer based on certain reasons.

    Egi Freedom Fighters who commended the Rivers State Government for the introduction of an Amnesty Programme for those involved in armed struggle said its members refused to join the accept the amnesty because they are not cultists or militants but freedom fighters.

    While reacting to the report of the amnesty committee, the spokesperson of the group, Jenniffer Black, insisted that they are not criminal gang and does not indulge in criminal activities.

    Black said they resorted to arms struggle as a way of drawing the attention of government and other stakeholders to the age-long oppression, intimidation and injustice on the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

    She said the group demanded the rebuilding of all houses damaged in Egi communities by alleged security forces sent by some companies in the area, and the release of all the people arrested during the raid of Egi community.

    Black said: “We want Total Nigeria Plc and other companies operating in the area to create job for the teeming youths of the host communities and to maintain all existing structures in the host communities.

    “Other conditions in the demand include that the beneficiaries of scholarship opportunities must be the less-privileged in the community. And the company must create special opportunities for the widows whose houses were affected by the raid. We also demanded that the Federal Government should be a signatory and must be aware of whatever understanding to be reached. So, this is what we are fighting for and there is no reason why they should brand us as cultists or militants.

    Another group, Kalar Bombers said their refusal to accept the amnesty programme was that the sgovernment did not enter into agreement with them.

    The leader of the camp, who simply gave his name as Machete said his group want a proper agreement and not a television and radio announcement to accept amnesty programme.

    Machete claimed that the ammunition in his camp alone is worth more than N500 million, adding that his group will not accept to submit that kind of asset that is providing food for them just because of state amnesty offer.

    He said: “The state announced on radio and television that we should submit our guns and other ammunition for skill acquisition, maybe in addition to small cash. They might have taken us for granted. We don’t want a repeat of what happened at the Federal Government’s amnesty. One of the leaders of the strongest group in this area was recently arrested after he submitted his weapon and embraced the amnesty. That exactly was our fear why we refused to accept the offer because there was no proper deal to protect us after denouncing our membership from cult group.”

  • Electoral violence: Amnesty office warns beneficiaries

    Electoral violence: Amnesty office warns beneficiaries

  • Ritual of amnesty

    •We seem to be witnessing pardon without sobriety, hinting at a status quo of restiveness

    Published pictures showing weapon-wielding young men, some of them in their underpants, in a public show of excitement during a ceremony on October 22 marking their acceptance of amnesty offered by the Rivers State Government, were thought-provoking because there was no sign of expected soberness.

    About 2,000 cultists who had been involved in kidnappings, armed robberies and killings, welcomed the official pardon and gave up their weapons at the event witnessed by members of the state Amnesty Committee in Isiokpo, the headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. The weapons they surrendered reportedly included AK 47 rifles, G3, Dane guns, dynamite, NATO gun and detonators.

    The move to get the cultists to change their ways was initiated by Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration, following the effect of their destructive activities on the people living in the affected area. “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,” chairman of the Amnesty Committee, Mr. Ken Chinda, was quoted as saying after receiving the surrendered weapons. He named two groups that were responsible for the disorder, Iceland and Debam, adding that laying down their arms was expected to usher in a period of peace.

    However, it is noteworthy that some cultists allegedly rejected the government’s peace moves, prompting Chinda to declare two cult leaders, Samuel Nkasiobi, aka ‘Italian’, and Okechukwu Amadi, aka ‘Gunboat’, as enemies of the state. Indeed, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, reportedly announced that N10 million would be paid for information on the whereabouts of the uncooperative cult leaders.

    This means it may be premature to conclude that peace will return to the area based on the supposed cooperation of those that surrendered their weapons. Quite apart from the threat posed by the cultists who rejected amnesty, there is the possibility that those who accepted the deal and surrendered their weapons may not have done so honestly, meaning they could still have some hidden and undeclared weapons.

    While the government’s pardon might be built on sincerity of purpose, it is quite another thing for the pardoned to demonstrate good faith. It is positive that the government appreciates the possibility of reformation and rehabilitation, but these desirable improvements will not happen automatically. It will require mutual efforts to make the envisaged peace happen.

    The government’s plan and programme for the rehabilitation of the supposedly reformed cultists are still unclear. The next stage requires urgent clarification as well as urgent execution of intention. On the part of the pardoned cultists, there must be a sincere appreciation of the meaning of pardon for crimes committed as well as a solid sense of personal responsibility to ensure that their decriminalisation is not called into question by a watching public.

    It is worth mentioning that a similar development in Imo State in September reinforces the need for a holistic approach to a growing menace. A report said: “Over 1, 000 militants and agitators from oil-producing areas of Ohaji Egbema and Oguta local government areas of Imo State have laid down their arms following the state government’s decision to grant them amnesty.”

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha was said to have responded to increased restiveness in the two coastal oil-producing areas due to the activities of militants who had allegedly “joined their colleagues in other Niger Delta states to blow up oil installations and pipelines.” Also relevant to the matter in question is the presidential amnesty programme for Niger Delta ex-militants introduced by the Federal Government in 2009.

    Beyond what appears to be a ritual of amnesty, the situation calls for a reinforcement of security; but more importantly, it demands a decisive dismantling of the pillars that prop dangerous inequalities which inspire and encourage rebellion.

     

  • Assad extends rebel amnesty for three months

    Assad extends rebel amnesty for three months

    Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday extended an amnesty for three more months for rebels to disarm and surrender themselves, a news report said.

    The extension of the pardon, first issued in July, offered more time for rebels to clear their “criminal records’’ by laying down their weapons and surrender to the government.

    The amnesty also offered kidnappers a chance to clear their records by releasing their captives unharmed and without ransom.

    An unspecified number of rebels around Damascus have benefited from the amnesty, while others chose to leave for rebel-held areas in the northwestern province of Idlib.

    The government renewed its calls recently for rebels to surrender in the northern city of Aleppo, where the Syrian army and Russia declared a unilateral cease-fire earlier October.

    However only seven rebels took advantage of the brief truce and left eastern Aleppo, as the cease-fire was largely rejected by rebel groups who tried to prevent rebels and civilians from leaving.

    The Syrian army and Russia have since renewed a broad offensive against rebels in eastern Aleppo.