Members of a group calling itself the Freedom Fighters of Ekpeye Ethnic Nationality have begged for pardon and amnesty, stating they are yearning to leave the jungle life and rejoin to mainstream society.
The appeal was made known by the spokesperson for the Omega Power organization (OPM), Kenneth Nwachi, who stated yesterday that the group contacted the Founder and General Overseer of the organization, Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere in a video appeal.
Fighters from a clandestine woodland base begged with the cleric to intercede and assist them in becoming rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, saying they were in bondage, The Guardian said.
In a letter headlined “Request for Pardon and Amnesty”, the group regarded Apostle Chibuzor as a father figure whose humanitarian actions could give them a way out of their predicament.
“The biggest problem we have now is how we can come out of this bush and live a normal life in society through amnesty. “We’ve looked around and found that you are the only man with a fatherly heart that can get us out of this bondage.”
The gang also expressed contrition for its past deeds, confessing that its actions had insulted both God and humanity, Nwachi said.
“We regretfully and remorsefully condemn some of our unwanted and unruly activities and pray for God’s endless mercy on us, as we promise to be of good conduct to society from now on,” the combatants wrote in their letter.
They appealed to the cleric’s Christian faith, quoting biblical verses on repentance, forgiveness and redemption, and said they were sure he would not only pray for them but also help them to start anew.
They prayed for peace in the entire Ekpeye land, especially in Ahoada East and Ahoada West local government areas of Rivers State. They prayed for God’s intervention to heal their villages.
The fighters said if the cleric accepted their request, they would not betray his confidence, recalling how he had previously intervened in the lives of needy teenagers around the country.
The petition comes against the backdrop of the alleged involvement of the OPM in the rehabilitation of former militants and those involved in armed activities for 15 years.
According to reports, the ministry has taught recipients in pipeline and argon welding, scaffolding, oil rigging operations, instrumentation and control and maritime engineering through its free skills acquisition center. Some have also found jobs locally and internationally in the oil and gas industry.
“The ministry has also facilitated the surrender of firearms and other weapons by repentant militants which were later handed over to the Rivers State Police Command.
But the immediate objective for the Ekpeye combatants is to get out of the bush, leave their troubles behind and rebuild their lives.
Their appeal has rekindled focus on the role of dialogue, disarmament and rehabilitation in resolving instability and young engagement in military operations in the Niger Delta.
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