By LIZZY IKURU

The Andoni local government area in Rivers in conjunction with security agencies has started the mopping up of light arms and weapons from repentant cultists in the area.

Mr Erastus Awortu, chairman of the council, disclosed this while receiving a report of the ‘Andoni Peace and Reconciliation Committee’ on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

According to him, the Committee was made up of traditional rulers in the area who were charged with the responsibility of handling the several disputes among cult gangs which led to a civil disturbance in the area.

“Our synergy with the security agencies all through the period of reconciliation with all aggrieved parties and gangs has been quite commendable.

“The next phase will be call for a mop up of arms from repentant cultists and definitely, we cannot do that without the full cooperation of the security agencies and we are working with them towards achieving that as soon as possible,” he said.

The council Chairman also thanked the Committee for their commitment to peace while also assuring of his readiness towards implementing the committee’s recommendations.

“Andoni is now safe and we hope that this peace shall be sustained, the recommendations made by the Committee is quite germane as far as sustainable peace is concerned.

“We will take a quick measure as to implementing them, we will work with the Council of Traditional Rulers and see how we can achieve the overall purpose of the committee by ensuring that our youths are meaningfully engaged through skills acquisition.

“The local government council within available resources will sustain the peace, and do everything necessary to develop our youths,” he said.

Similarly, Chairman of the committee, Moses Abah-Ogwuile XIII, Paramount ruler of Uyangala town, explained that the committee was saddled with the responsibility of dialoguing with the various cult gangs and to see how they could be reconciled and reintegrated into the society.

“We have successfully carried out our assignment, we consulted with them severally and eventually they all agreed to the peace initiative,” he said.

He also noted that the success of the Committee was very obvious as all those who once fled the area due to disputes are back to their homes and are coexisting peacefully.

"Today we came to present a report on the peace process to the council Chairman who is our Chief security officer and great supporter of our mission.

“Our recommendation read in part:

“To ensure that the peace is sustained, the traditional rulers’ Council and the local government council should collectively institute a peace monitoring Committee.

“The monitoring team should comprise leaders of the various repentant youths, the security agencies, civil and religious groups who would effectively and efficiently monitor these youths and their activities in the area.” (NAN)

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