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Members of a group identifying themselves as the Freedom Fighters of Ekpeye Ethnic Nationality have appealed for forgiveness and amnesty, expressing readiness to abandon their forest hideouts and return to normal life in society.
The group made the appeal in a video message addressed to the Founder and General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, seeking his intervention in securing their rehabilitation and reintegration.
The development was disclosed by Kenneth Nwachi, spokesperson for OPM, who said the fighters reached out to the cleric through a video appeal yesterday.
Speaking from an undisclosed forest location, the group described its present situation as bondage and pleaded with the cleric to help facilitate its emergence from the forest through an amnesty arrangement.
In a letter titled Request for Pardon and Amnesty, the fighters described Apostle Chinyere as a father figure whose humanitarian disposition could provide them with an opportunity to turn over a new leaf.
“Our major problem now is how we can come out of this bush and live a normal life in society through amnesty. We have searched around and found out that you are the only man with a fatherly heart that can take us out of this bondage,” they stated.
The group also expressed remorse over its past activities, admitting that some of its actions had offended God and humanity.
“We remorsefully and regrettably condemn some of our unwanted and unruly activities and pray for God's endless mercy on us, as we promise to be of good conduct to society from now on,” the letter read.
Appealing to the cleric's Christian faith, the fighters referenced biblical teachings on repentance, forgiveness and redemption, expressing hope that he would offer them spiritual guidance and practical support towards a fresh beginning.
They further called for lasting peace across Ekpeye land, particularly in Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State, praying for divine intervention to restore stability to their communities.
The fighters assured the cleric that they would not betray his confidence if he accepted their appeal, acknowledging his previous interventions in the lives of vulnerable youths and individuals seeking a second chance.
The appeal comes against the background of OPM's reported 15-year involvement in the rehabilitation of former militants and individuals associated with armed activities.
Through its free skills acquisition centre, the ministry has reportedly trained beneficiaries in pipeline and argon welding, scaffolding, oil rigging operations, instrumentation and control, as well as marine engineering.
Some of the beneficiaries have also secured employment opportunities locally and internationally, particularly in the oil and gas industry.
OPM has equally facilitated the surrender of firearms and other weapons by repentant militants, which were subsequently handed over to the Rivers State Police Command.
For the Ekpeye fighters, the immediate priority is to find a safe and acceptable pathway out of the forest, renounce their troubled past and rebuild their lives as responsible members of society.
Their appeal has once again highlighted the importance of dialogue, credible amnesty arrangements, disarmament and sustainable rehabilitation in tackling insecurity and youth involvement in armed activities in the Niger Delta.
