After staying in the jungle perpetrating heinous crimes, more than 100 militants from Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas in Akwa Ibom State have come out to the public glare with a basket of conditions for peace.
The cultists-turned militants seized the opportunity offered by Governor Udom Emmanuel’s visit to Ukanafun on Tuesday to reel out complaints ranging from poor social amenities, state/local government’s marginalisation of rural communities for several decades, ill-equipped and dilapidated public schools, lack of political office rotation to unemployment among youths, among others.
Emmanuel’s visit to Ukanafun local government area, the second of such visit in 11 months, was a follow up to compliance by the militants in surrendering arms in line with a directive by the state Police Command to ensure lasting peace in the troubled area.
The governor, who went in company of Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, the state Commissioner of Police pensively listened to the conditions given by the militants during a meeting at Central School, Ikot Akpa Nkuk in Ukanafun.
Apart from regretting over taking up arms to perpetrate atrocities and cause social upheavals in the area, the militants complained that politicians over the years used and dumped them after lunching them to their political heights.
The militants who spoke one after another lamented “We stayed without good jobs after helping the politicians to win elections. Frustration and joblessness drove us into criminal activities.”
One of them, known as Mentor, who said he hails from Ukanafun, called on the Governor to right the wrongs of past administrations that failed to look into their plights.
“In my village, we don’t have a village head. We don’t have any youth leader. And we didn’t have anyone to talk to us. I am sure Your Excellency will provide these for us so that we can stay together and support him for second term,” Mentor observed.
Victor Frank from Ikot Udobong in Etim Ekpo local government area said he had lived in the bush for several years in the course of the clash.
Frank said he was happy that through the Governor’s intervention peace would be restored in the affected area.
He appealed to the Governor to grant clemency to some of their members who had been apprehended earlier in the spirit of forgiveness, pledging their readiness to ensure peace reigns.
“For this great feat, we promise to stand with the Governor, and ensure he succeeds in his second term so that he can continue to bring development to our communities,” Mr. Frank assured.
Another repentant militant, Utomobong Aniekan Sunday a.k.a Small Money, said he regretted being involved in militancy that led to the destruction of lives and property in his communities as well as the shutting down socio-economic activities.
Utomobong said further, “We had to sound the gong and invite all our members to answer to your clemency call. We have surrendered our weapons, and we have nothing to give to you but peace and we want all our people who ran away to come back and let’s live together again.”
Speaking amidst tears before the governor, Goodluck Emmanuel nicknamed Small DPO from Ikot Udo Obobo, appealed to him to help in reconstruction of the torched markets and restoration of power supply in his community.
Ifiok Ukpong, a.k.a Gymnast who hails from Ikot Ukpong village in Ukanafun, said Ward 2 has suffered persistent neglect in terms of allocation of political offices.
Ukpong therefore threatened that if the House of Assembly slot for Ukanafun is not zoned to his long-neglected ward, there would be no peace in the area.
Also, Faith Friday Benson from Ikot Etim a.k.a Fine Face thanked the Governor for coming to their rescue.
Responding, Udom said he was saddened by the conditions of living of the repentant militants, recounted how difficult it has been for him to bring development to their areas because of insecurity.
“I wanted to bring World Bank-assisted project to Ukanafun, but those people preferred to go elsewhere. At the moment, because of you people, no contractor has accepted our offer to come and execute a project in Ukanafun,” the governor noted.
He thanked them for embracing the reconciliation and rehabilitation meeting, and also called on the said ‘Overcomer’ to come out of the bush like others and surrender before Thursday morning.
“Those of you who have his number, call him and tell him that I want him to come and see me with all his six AK-47 and I will collect it and use it to protect him,” the Governor added
Emmanuel warned them from listening to any politician who may come back to re-introduce them into cult-related activities, saying that it would not augur well for such people.
“I promised you people that the day you come out, nothing will happen to you. Have I not kept my promise?” he inquired.
While telling them that they owe God prayers of forgiveness, he assured them that as a man, he has forgiven all of them.
He advised the Commissioner of Police to come with them to government house for dialogue on how to move their communities forward.
Ogunjemilusi, who introduced the principal actors of the cult groups, said the cultists having turned a new leaf, were willing to be rehabilitated and re-integrated into the society.
