A self-acclaimed Ijaw agitator in Edo State, Lawrence Yanbor, has said he and his supporters would accept the amnesty recently proposed by Governor Monday Okpebholo for cultists in the state.
Recall that Governor Okpebholo recently said his administration was proposing amnesty for all cultists in the state and promised to buy their guns and ammunition.
In a statement in Benin City, Yanbor said that the last administration was negotiating an amnesty for him, but that he and his supporters had to back out because the former administration was not sincere with the proposal.
He also called on the state government to call on the management of Okomu oil to stop the alleged harassment of the host communities, who are mainly Ijaw.
The statement read, “I Agitator Lawrence Yanbor from Okomu Ijaw community in Ovia South West local government area of Edo State with all my boys wish to appreciate and accept the governor of Edo state’s offer of amnesty to drop my guns and ammunitions to work with the governor of the state senator Monday Okpebholo in synergy with him along with the security agencies in the state,
“I want to use this medium to wholeheartedly inform the governor and the world that my boys and I are not cultists and we are not kidnappers, but we are agitators fighting for the development and emancipation of our people. We have decided to accept and follow the process of Mr Governor.
“I saw a very high level of wisdom, development, and understanding on the governor’s side that inspired me and my boys to accept and work with him. The previous government stated the process for us to receive amnesty, but because the Obaseki-led government was not sincere, we backed out.
“We did not in any way see any level of sincerity in him. We decided to pull out, we are accepting Governor Monday Okpebholo’s offer, and we want to appeal to the governor on the following:
My boys and I are ready to work with him in synergy with all the security agencies to ensure that criminals do not have a hideout in Edo State.
Okomu Oil Palm Company should be called to order on its inhuman treatment of our people.
“Udo, Inikorogha through to Okomu Ijaw Community Road should be tarred.
“My boys and I should be put along into the federal government’s Amnesty programme, trained and reintegrated back into society.”
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