Late Don Wanney’s Fighters Disarm In Imo State – Gov Okorocha
BY OGBONNA ONYEKACHUKWU, OWERRI – Hundreds of Don Wanney’s fighters on Monday surrendered their arms, including explosives, rocket launchers and high calibre rifles like AK47 to the Imo State government at the Heroes Square.
The fighters had before now rejected all overtures by the government to surrender their arms under an amnesty programme
In a chat with journalists at the Government House, Governor Rochas Okorocha said he has been busy with several phone calls about the success story of Don Waney’s followers agreeing to handover their arms and turn a new leaf.
He described the development as unprecedented and healthy as it is expected to bring about lasting peace, especially around the Oil producing areas of the State.
According to Okorocha, it is shocking that most activists in the Avengers as well as the Don Wanney operatives are sons and daughters from the militancy business, adding that surrendering their “arms will end the Security Challenges we have in the Ohaji/Egbema, Awara and the rest of the areas where people have been on self-exile for many years”.
He further said; “Today, we are welcoming back our brothers and sisters who have remained in the creeks and forests for so many years perpetuating all kinds of evil; killing and maiming human beings. But today, glory to God, these our Children have decided, on their own, to return home and be part of the society. They are doing so on their own; surrendering arms which they have used in committing criminal activities for what they called expression of grievances of different sorts.
“We, as a government, are happy particularly that these young boys and girls will now come back as good citizens of Imo State. We are here to receive them and listen to them. What they say today will determine the role of government in assisting them and making sure they become good citizens once more. It is the wish of the Niger Delta people to welcome you back as good citizens”.
Governor Okorocha also said; “You could recall that three weeks ago, the notorious kingpin Don Wanny was killed and most of these boys are his colleagues and generals in the bush. Today, we are gladdened that the lives of these boys have not been left in the hands of the military and police who would have wasted them but today they are being reintegrated into society to become good citizens”.
“As a government that is sensitive to the plight of the people, we are here to intervene before the matter gets out of hand. Last year and last two years, we did a similar exercise and most of those youths are now doing well.
“We want to remove terror from Ohaji/Egbema. This is one of my campaign promises that I will change the lives of Ohaji/Egbema people. Terror is going out from the region. These are children that drove away their traditional rulers, parents and brothers but today the story is different. We don’t want to hear the stories of Avengers and Don Wanney again,
“The State has forgiven them and will subsequently give their names to the federal government for amnesty”, he added.
In his remarks, Don Wanney’s fourth in Command, General Red Squad, whose real name is Emenike Agamu, admitted that the militancy group led by the late Wanney killed several people and blew up many oil pipelines.
He however stated that every of those dastardly acts were now in the past as they all have agreed to turn a new leaf and contribute their quota to the growth and development of Imo State.
