Building On The Amnesty Gains

Successes being recorded by the amnesty
programme of the Rivers State Govern
ment within a short period is heartwarming. It is indicative of the fact that Rivers people are actually peace loving and loyal to good and progressive causes.
Reports of the number of youth that have renounced their evil ways and embraced the olive branch offered by the State Government is unbelievable. The number of their camps in the forest that government has accessed and closed down clearly underscores the wisdom of the State Government in offering the amnesty.
On the part of the young ones who decided to drop their arms and return to the normal society, it shall be counted for them wisdom. It may not be clear to them just yet the wisdom in what they have just done, but in time, they will be glad they chose life.
More than rising for peace that would provide the level playing field for all persons, their decision also qualifies them for support by the government and the society at large. In fact, the experiences they have acquired might also become useful when the enemy approaches.
The Tide is happy that because of the successes recorded in the Ahoada/ONELGA area, some of the youth in the Ikwerre/Kalabari/Abua axis are waiting to be called out. The news has also gotten to the Ogoni/Andoni areas and all sections of Rivers State appear to be open to the idea of a return to peace in Rivers State. This can only be a divine intervention.
But this should be expected because no sane human being would want to be a fugitive all his life. No one would be happy knowing that he could be dead any moment. No child of Rivers State will take pleasure in killing, raping and maiming fellow Rivers people and hopes to ignore the guilt. Not one would want to face their God in that state.
We thank Governor Nyesom Wike for giving them the opportunity to return. Clearly, no one has the right to judge them. No one can pretend not to see the things that were done or undone that pushed them into the feat that is common with the youth. Even worse, is the deceit that crime and killings were the solutions to the issues. Many died because they were told a lie that they could not die by bullet.
That is why government and the good people of Rivers State must take steps to truly embrace these gallant youth and build on the gains of the amnesty programme. This is important because the issues that drove them to the camps are still real and the lies that fascinated them are still being glamourised.
Some of the youth were forced to join the struggle because some privileged persons, both in politics and in the community cheated them and dared them. They got no justice from the traditional rulers or the security agencies. They only responded to a jungle-style setting that made only the strong to survive and only the arm-bearers to rule.
While we do not hold brief for them, in fact, no reason exists for anyone to destroy his own home, but it must not be forgotten that people respond differently to different situations. Some communities suffered because proceeds from oil and gas companies were hijacked by a few persons who in turn chased others with armed persons.
Sadly, the situation is still there. If government wants to ensure peace, they must be seen to be fair. Even now, the implementation of the DAA III GMoU between SPDC and some 14 Kalabari communities is being abused. The communities and their representatives have been chased away and some powerful men have commandeered the process and the anger is building.
It is a fact that when a people are pushed to the wall, resistance becomes imminent, and that is where it is in many communities. The peace that the State seeks should be enjoyed by all not the oppressor and the militants and the political rascals only.
For this emerging peace to stand, the Rivers State Government must rehabilitate some persons to ease the pain. Government must provide security and do everything to return respect and support for traditional rulers and leaders. Above all, let truth and justice be the common possession of all the people.