Kidnappers Embrace Abia Amnesty Deal

No fewer than 10 kidnappers in Abia have dropped their arms to embrace an amnesty declared by the state government..The state government on May 23 announced an amnesty for kidnappers, who dropped their arms, to be rehabilitated. After a formal protest for the exclusion of Abia in the Niger Delta Amnesty deal, the Federal Government reopened the enlisting of the hoodlums and created three arms collection centres in Abia.. Some of the kidnappers, who met with Gov Theodore Orji, on Friday in Umuahia said they would drop their arms and come out from their hideouts.Mr Stephen John, who said that he was the second in command of a group, which operated in Ukwa West Local Government Area, said the group was agitating for its rights.John said it was regrettable that Obehie and Owaza, whose natural resources had made the state belong to the comity of oil producing states, could not boast of good roads and hospitals.He said life was difficult for the people in the area, adding, “I have nobody to help establish my business. “I am sorry for the lives being lost in the struggle,” John said. Responding, the governor promised that the government would cooperate with the group to ensure peace. “We want commitment from you. So you go back, organise yourselves and bring out arms and we will incorporate you into the system,” Orji said.Orji further promised to address their grievances, and warned that war “is not the best way to solve the problem”. He said government was willing to build infrastructure for the people in the area “but kidnappings have scared contractors away.” Earlier, Mr Nathaniel Ubong, the State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said that the hoodlums had earlier approached the command, indicating their willingness to come out from the bush if government would assist them.“They said they were tired of staying in the bush. If government will pardon them, they were ready to come out and embrace peace,” he said. Ubong said that the command immediately raised a committee that discussed with them and “we became convinced that they were serious when they brought their lawyer.”