Concerned about the need for peace and his determination to the diversification of the State economy from civil servants driven to industrialized economy, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu granted armed youths in the riverine areas of the State 21- day - grace to submit their arms and weapons.
As the countdown to the end of the 21 day -grace granted to surrender arms draws near, youths in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas of Ondo State have started coming out to take window of the opportunity.
From the mangrove swamp of Ilaje to the tick rain forest in Ese-Odo Local Government Areas, youths in droves trooped out from their camps to submit their arms.
Hundreds of youths troop out from their camps to surrender arms.
Arms submitted include : Browning wz machine gun, Daewoo K3, Colt Automatic Rifles, General Purpose Machine gun, Breda 30, Fiat Revelli Modelling, AK 47 Rifles, Rocket Launcher, CETME Ameli, Heckler & Koch MG4, Pump Action and some Automatic Cartridges.
Also, military uniforms, police bullet proof vests, dynamites grenades, bombs and helmets were submitted.
Ondo State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Amnesty Committee, Alfred Agboola Ajayi while addressing the gathering thanked the elders for talking to the youths. He said government wouldn't neglect any part of the State stressing the need for peace.
" No meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of crisis and violence. If you want oil companies to come; you want Infrastructural development; you must embrace peace and be friendly", he said.
The militants leader, Ogailo Iborry- Young O. C., in his address, appreciated the Government for the fresh Amnesty initiative particularly the State Government.
He traced the source of their arms to the Ijaw/Ilaje crisis of 1998/1999 and blamed on joblessness, poverty and neglect by government.
In his words, " if we may be asked our reasons for embarking on this struggle, our simple asseveration to the public and other concerned authorities is that it is joblessness, suffering, poverty, oppression and neglect by the
Government "
VideoCredit: Allen Sowore FB
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