The All Progressive Congress-led Federal Government has been accused of plans to allegedly grant amnesty to 32 suspected cultists who were recently declared wanted by the Rivers State Security Council.
The Rivers State government is claiming that the Federal Government intends to engage the 32 suspected cultists with the intention to use them for the 2019 General elections.
Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Emma Okah at a media briefing at the Government House, Port Harcourt, accused the federal government of deliberately sabotaging the successes recorded by the state government in the area of security.
He called on the international community, civil society organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to take notice of the alleged act to compromise the security of Rivers State.
According to Okah, “The Rivers State Government is in receipt of credible intelligence that the federal government has concluded plans to grant amnesty to 32 cultists declared wanted by the State Security Council.
“Details of the intelligence indicate that the federal government is granting the said cultists amnesty for the purpose of undue electoral advantage in the 2019 general elections.
“This action is not a surprise to us because we have repeatedly said it that some officials and agencies of the federal government are frustrating the fight against violent crimes and criminality in Rivers State.
“In particular, we have accused the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of involvement in and aiding violent criminal activities.
“This sad development, coming at a time the state is winning the war against kidnappers and cultists, is a major setback and a ploy to undermine the security of Rivers State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government will continue to work closely with security agencies to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.”
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