No fewer than 3,000 youths from Gokana Local Government
Area of Rivers State on Saturday submitted their arms to a renowned cleric in
the area, Reverend Father Abel Abulu.
The youths denounced cultism and also surrendered
different kinds of guns after the cleric’s message and efforts by Gokana Peace
Ambassadors towards restoring peace to the area.
The cultists had on two occasions refused to submit
their arms to the committee in charge of the amnesty programme, feigning that
they did not have guns.
It was gathered that their acceptance to the plea
to repent was achieved through the intervention of Gokana Peace Ambassadors and
the clergymen in the area, who went into the creeks to preach peace to the
cultists.
One of the repentant cultists, who spoke to
newsmen, Denbesi Isaac, said they decided to lay down their arms because they
were tired of hiding.
Isaac called on the state government to join
efforts with the Christian community and the Gokana Peace Ambassadors to ensure
adequate empowerment for the repentant cultists.
He noted that if the boys were integrated into the
state amnesty programme, it would stop them from going back to their former
lives.
Isaac assured that he and his group would never return to
their former lives of cultism for the sake of peace and development.
Isaac said, “We thank God that we are alive today.
It was the preaching that the Rev. Father gave to us on the several visits he
made to us that made us to change our mind. To me it is the handiwork of God.
“We are calling on the state government to include
us in their amnesty programme. They should train and empower us so that we
would not think of going back to our past lives.”
Meanwhile, the President of Gokana Peace
Ambassadors, Kpakol Aleema-Kpakol said the group decided to embark on peace
campaign following the widespread violence which has claimed the lives of
several innocent souls in the area.
Aleema-Kpakol, who spoke alongside his Secretary, Tomei
Barikpe Vycent, commended the effort of Reverend Father Abulu for his
commitment in ensuring the security of Gokana people.
He stressed the need for the state government to
inherit the repentant cultist for the sake of peace and development in Gokana.
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