The Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said he was aware of the protest of the repentant militants who have willingly dropped their arms and ammunitions in the riverine area of the state.
Akeredolu said he was informed about the protest by the militants that nothing has been done since the submission of ammunition exercise ended.
The Governor appealed to the repentant militants to be patient with the state government.
Akeredolu reinstated his committment to ensuring that the repentant militants are incorporated into the federal government amnesty programme.
The governor stated this while donating 10 speed boats to officers at the Naval Base in Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
It will be recalled that on November 9, 2017, Akeredolu proclaimed amnesty for militants, who are willing to drop their arms and ammunition and also promised them that they would be enlisted into the federal government amnesty programme.
The State Amnesty Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi coordinated the state government efforts to ensure the armed bandits dropped their weapons within the 21 days stipulated for collection and documentation of arms and ammunition.
Since then, the ex-militants have been nursing the fear of being short-changed.
But, Akeredolu said he was aware of their cries, assuring them that the state government would fulfill its own part of the bargain.
His words, ” I know they have been crying because of their own perspective that we have not delivered on our words. The amnesty programme does not begin with the state and it will not end with the state government
“Ours is to ensure the baby is delivered and we have delivered you (baby) to the federal government.
“We won’t relent on our efforts to ensure that you are all incorporated into the programme. The whole issue is now in the federal government’s hand because we have done our own part.
“For those who submitted their guns, we won’t deceive you. The whole issue is now in federal government. We want our people to understand and our leaders must talk to them.
“We are committed to see you be part of the federal of the government amnesty programme. We are appealling to you be patient”.
Akeredolu also said the new speed boats purchased by the state was to enable the security agents to properly man the waterways.
The governor noted that the speed boats that would support the naval officers’ gun boats, will enable them to manoeuvre their ways into the shallow creeks when chasing criminals.
He promised that his administration would continue to give necessary supports to the security operative in order for him to achieve his aim of making the state investors friendly.
The deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi in his welcome address, lauded Akeredolu for making the state safe for investors.
Ajayi said the amnesty programme has not only brought peace into the state but has also reduced the crime rate in Ogun and Lagos States.
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