Grant repentant cultists, militants in Orashi amnesty, Nwuche begs FG

By Clifford Ndujihe Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission, SSDC, Chibudom Nwuche, has urged the Federal Government to grant amnesty to repentant cultists and militant youths in the Orashi area of Rivers State who are willing to lay down their arms and embrace peaceful and productive lives. Nwuche also called for the rehabilitation, reorientation and reintegration of such youths into society, saying the initiative would help restore peace and security to the troubled communities. The Orashi area comprises Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas of the state.

Nwuche made the appeal through his representative, Chief Kingdom Ajugo, at the commencement of the 2026 Upata Folklore, Ele, at Ula Upata, Ahoada East Local Government Area, on Tuesday. He expressed concern over the deterioration of security in Ahoada and other parts of the Orashi region, saying the area had witnessed killings and various forms of criminality. He recalled the gruesome killing of the then Divisional Police Officer, DPO, late CSP Bako Amgbashim, whom he described as a dedicated, intelligent and gallant police officer.

According to him, several appeals have been made to Rivers State government for an amnesty programme for repentant youths in the area, with no action taken. Nwuche, therefore, appealed to the federal government, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, headed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to consider an amnesty programme for repentant cultists and violent youths. He said the programme should include proper rehabilitation, reorientation and reintegration measures to enable beneficiaries become productive members of society.

He also appealed to youths still involved in cultism, kidnapping, robbery and other criminal activities to abandon violence and embrace legitimate livelihoods. “Those who are still carrying guns and killing our people indiscriminately should stop and accept amnesty and be ready to be reintegrated into society,” he said. Nwuche said the predominantly farming and trading Ekpeye people should be able to carry out their legitimate businesses without molestation, harassment or fear.

He said hundreds of Ekpeye people had lost their lives to cultism and related violence over the years, declaring that the situation …