Militants Surrender Arms, Ammunition, Regret Returning To Creeks

 The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Wednesday, accepted over 200 militants from the oil-rich communities of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state, who publicly denounced militancy activities, vowing never to go back to the creeks.
The disarmament ceremony, which took place at the Government House, Owerri, was witnessed by the various security agencies including the Army and Police.
Okorocha, who extended the submission of arms by the militants till next week Thursday, also said that his government will continue to interact with the militants as well as look into some areas of their welfare.
According to the governor, ” I am here to rescue my children so that there will be no shooting by the Police and Army. I am here also to receive your message and deliver them to the Federal Government. I am speaking to you as a father of the land and assure you of proper reintegration into the society."
Some of the group leaders of the militants who vowed with their members never to continue the bombing of pipelines and destruction of lives and property, also called on the government to “compel” the oil companies operating in their areas  to begin implementation of developmental programmes to improve their living standard.
Some of the militant’s leaders who were present at the disarmament ceremony include; Banga, Bobby Uzoma (commander general), Modestus Gift (No Mercy).
According to Uzoma, ”We have been abandoned since 2011. We submitted our arms since 2011, and because the government neglected us, we went back to creeks. We are also pleading that the oil companies in our area should begin empowerment of our people.”
It would recalled that the country’s political definition of the Niger Delta identifies Imo as one of the nine states in the region, which also includes Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Rivers.