Kidnappers of the six students of Model College, Epe in Lagos state have expressed their readiness to drop their arms and embrace peace through the opportunity of the fresh Amnesty initiative secured for them by the Ondo State government.
They however alleged that certain forces are frustrating their move to surrender their arms and ammunition; stressing that they are being threatened by a prominent personality who does not want them to settle for the Amnesty programme.
The armed group in a statement issued on its behalf by Its leader, Ogailo Ibori, expressed sadness over the attempt by an influential ex-militant to blackmail them before the security agencies.
“We are prepared to embrace the Amnesty opportunity that has been provided by the Ondo State government. But unfortunately, some money bags who have made so much money through their links with the previous government are making frantic efforts to frustrate us.
“The activities of these forces who are led by an ex-militant is such that they have engaged in blackmailing us before the nation’s security forces with the aim of turning them against us.
“We are prepared for peace but we will not have a third party to mediate between us and government as those forces want at all cost.
“We are waiting eagerly for November 9 proclamation by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu whose efforts, through his Deputy, Hon Ajayi Alfred Agboola have been commendable as far as restoring peace in the riverine areas of the State is concerned.
“In this regard, we have even nominated a lawyer to liaise between us and the state for a seamless process that will lead to the disarmament. We are committed to this and we enjoin the security agencies to ignore all form of blackmail targeted at us and the Ondo state government by crisis entrepreneurs who are finding it difficult to coexist harmoniously, with other stakeholders in the Niger Delta.
It will be recalled that the release of the kidnapped Epe pupils was effected by the Ondo State Government after an agreement on Amnesty offer for the militants.
The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon Ajayi was detailed by Governor Akeredolu to broker peace and effect the release of the pupils.
The Deputy Governor is the Chairman of the Committee on Amnesty in the state. The governor will on November nine, formally proclaim the Amnesty offer.
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