Rivers: Nwuche Urges FG to Grant Amnesty to Repentant Cultists, Militants

Rivers: Nwuche Urges FG to Grant Amnesty to Repentant Cultists, Militants

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission, Chibudom Nwuche, has appealed to the Federal Government to establish an amnesty programme for repentant cultists and militant youths in the Orashi region of Rivers State who are willing to renounce violence and surrender their weapons.

Nwuche said individuals involved in cultism, kidnapping, robbery, assault and other violent activities should be given an opportunity to abandon criminality through a structured process of rehabilitation, reorientation, skills acquisition and reintegration into their communities.

He made the appeal through his representative, Chief Kingdom Ajugo, during the opening of the 2026 Upata Folklore (Ele) at Ula Upata in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Orashi region comprises Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas.

Nwuche expressed concern over the security challenges confronting parts of the region, particularly Ahoada and neighbouring communities, where residents have continued to face killings and other forms of violent crime.

He cited the 2023 killing of SP Bako Angbashim, the former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada Division, who was killed during an operation against criminal elements in the area. The incident triggered intensified security operations and investigations in the region.

According to Nwuche, repeated calls had previously been made for the Rivers State Government to introduce an amnesty initiative for youths willing to abandon criminal activities, but such a programme had yet to materialise.

He therefore urged the Federal Government, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser, to consider a comprehensive amnesty framework for individuals who genuinely renounce violence.

He said such a programme should include the surrender of weapons, proper identification and screening of participants, rehabilitation, vocational training and reintegration into society, alongside mechanisms for monitoring beneficiaries.

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Nwuche also urged youths still involved in violent activities to take advantage of any genuine rehabilitation opportunity provided by government rather than continue on a path that threatens lives and undermines the economic prospects of their communities.

He said insecurity had affected economic activities across the Orashi region, making it difficult for residents to farm, trade and carry out other legitimate businesses without fear.

The former deputy speaker called for greater cooperation among government agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents in tackling cult-related violence and other criminal activities.

He also appealed to traditional rulers in Ekpeye land to promote unity and peaceful coexistence, urging them to work together in addressing issues affecting their communities.

The remarks were made during the Upata cultural festival, which attracted traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders, women, youths, students and other members of the Ekpeye community.

The Eze Igbu Upata III, Eze Felix Otuwarikpo, declared the festival open and described it as an important platform for preserving the cultural heritage and identity of the Upata people.

The monarch said the annual celebration, traditionally held after the harvest season, provides an opportunity for the community to promote unity, hospitality and peaceful relations while passing its traditions and history to younger generations.

Nwuche further encouraged young people in the region to reject criminality and pursue legitimate economic opportunities, stressing that sustainable development could only take place in an environment where lives and property are protected.

He also urged the traditional institution to maintain constructive engagement with government authorities and oil companies in order to protect the interests of local communities.

The call for an amnesty for repentant cultists and militants comes amid wider debates over how to address youth involvement in cultism, armed violence and other criminal activities in parts of Rivers State.

If adopted, any such initiative would require clearly defined eligibility conditions, verification of participants, weapon surrender procedures and sustained rehabilitation and monitoring to ensure that beneficiaries genuinely abandon violent activities.

For communities in the Orashi region, the proposed approach would combine security measures with rehabilitation and economic opportunities for youths willing to renounce violence, while those who continue to commit crimes would remain subject to existing laws.

Rivers: Nwuche Urges FG to Grant Amnesty to Repentant Cultists, Militants