Niger Delta group drums support for Buhari; condemns restiveness in region

The Third Phase Amnesty, a congregation of ex- militants has appealed to youth agitators from the Niger Delta to embrace peace and support the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government in the interest of peace in the region.

The group in a media statement, Thursday, also warned that criminality and piracy will not be encouraged under its watch, promising to bring to book any youth that attempt to foul the resolve of the third phase Amnesty said it was worried by the rampant cases of kidnapping, sea piracy and sundry crimes in the Niger Delta.

While it condemned abductions and restiveness in the Niger Delta region, the group, however, assured the Federal Government that it will work with the ex- militants to foster peace in the once restive region.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has shown his intention to ensure that there is a long lasting peace in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. This gesture is conveyed in the support he has given the Third Phase Amnesty Programme under the leadership of General Ebi John and Ogundere Olarotimi both Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively.

“President Buhari in his bid to ensure that the amnesty programme does not suffer any hitch had promptly appointed Gen. Paul Boro (rtd) as coordinator of the programme as soon as he was sworn-in.

“The Federal Government through the office of the coordinators presidential amnesty programme has given the Third Phase Amnesty movement its support and has recognised the effort of the third phase amnesty in correcting the ills that was associated with the previous programme on the amnesty of the Niger Delta militants,” the group said.

While, therefore, thanking President Buhari for his interest in the Niger Delta, the Third Phase Amnesty also commended the coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme for identifying with the body.

In their emergency meeting in Bayelsa, the body resolved to work with President Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidential Amnesty Office.

The national leadership of the Third Phase Amnesty programme consists of; Ebi John, Chairman (Bayelsa state), Ogundele Olarotimi (aka Iroko 1 of Niger Delta) –Vice Chairman (Ondo state), Gomorumo Hery (Delta state), Secretary, Karo Edor (Ass Secretary) and Samuel Taiyakimi (Financial Secretary).

Others are Efe Gome (Ass. Fin Sec), Emmanuel Ikoli (Treasurer), Emmanuel Beke – Obiri (PRO), Daukolo Seinitonkumo (Mobilization), Raymond Erharhadeje (Legal Adviser), Oscar Jackson (Provost) and Emomo Timi Eretie (ex –officio).