A militant group in Rivers State under the aegis of Egi Freedom Fighters (EFF) has rejected Governor Nyesom Wike’s Amnesty programme in the state and listed conditions for acceptance of any deal.

A statement by Jenniffer Black, the group’s spokesperson, made available to newsmen, accused multinational oil Giant, Total Nigeria Plc, of sponsoring military attacks on their communities, listing its demands on the government and the oil company as conditions for any amnesty deal.

The group wants the rebuilding of houses of indigenes of Obiezemini in Egi of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state allegedly destroyed by state forces, sponsored by the company.

Other demands are the unconditional release of their members in custody and employment/empowerment opportunities for teeming youths of the area.

“We demand the rebuilding of all houses damaged in Egi communities by security forces sent by Total Nigeria Plc and release of all the people arrested during the raid of Egi community. Any skills acquisition and scholarship must come from Total Nigeria Plc and NOT from the state government.

“Total Nigeria Plc must create jobs for youths of host communities and maintain all existing structures in the communities. Beneficiaries of scholarship opportunities must be the less privileged in the community. Total Nigeria must create special opportunities for the widows whose houses were affected by the raid.

“Federal Government of Nigeria must be a signatory and must be aware of whatever understanding to be reached. The government and Total Nigeria Plc must work out modalities and ensure the release of all persons arrested in connection with the raid of our communities before we lay down our arms. This incident occurred in almost all of Egi communities, particularly, Obiezemini,” the group insisted.

Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor, recently inaugurated the State Amnesty Programme Committee, with Sir Ken Chinda, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Amnesty as chairman.

•Text courtesy of Independent. Photo shows a group of militants.

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