Orashi insecurity: Nwuche asks FG to offer amnesty to repentant cultists, violent youths

PORT HARCOURT — The Federal Government has been urged to introduce an amnesty and reintegration programme for repentant cultists and militant youths in the Orashi region of Rivers State who are willing to surrender their weapons and abandon criminal activities.

The call was made by former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission, SSDC, Chibudom Nwuche.

Nwuche, who spoke through his representative, Chief Kingdom Ajugo, made the appeal on Tuesday at the opening of the 2026 Upata Folklore, Ele, at Ula Upata in Ahoada East Local Government Area.

He said the amnesty should go beyond merely asking youths to lay down their arms, stressing the need for rehabilitation, reorientation and reintegration into society.

The Orashi region comprises Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas.

Nwuche expressed concern over the worsening security situation in Ahoada and other communities in the region, saying killings and other criminal activities had affected the area.

He particularly recalled the killing of late CSP Bako Amgbashim, the former Divisional Police Officer, DPO, whom he described as a dedicated, intelligent and gallant police officer.

The former lawmaker said repeated appeals had been made to the Rivers State Government for an amnesty programme for repentant youths, but the initiative had not materialised.

He therefore appealed to the Federal Government, especially the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, headed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to consider introducing an amnesty programme for repentant cultists and violent youths.

Nwuche said beneficiaries should be properly rehabilitated, reoriented and reintegrated so they could return to productive lives.

He equally urged youths involved in cultism, kidnapping, robbery and other forms of criminality to abandon violence and pursue legitimate livelihoods.

“Those who are still carrying guns and killing our people indiscriminately should stop and accept amnesty and be ready to be reintegrated into society,” he said.

Nwuche said the Ekpeye people, who are predominantly farmers and traders, deserved an environment where they could conduct their businesses without fear, harassment or molestation.

He lamented that hundreds of Ekpeye people had reportedly lost their lives to cultism and related violence, insisting that the trend must be brought to an end.

He called on traditional rulers, community leaders, government authorities and residents to collaborate in restoring peace, warning that Ekpeye land must not become a haven for criminal elements.

Nwuche calls for unity among Ekpeye traditional rulers

The SSDC board chairman also urged Ekpeye traditional rulers to provide exemplary leadership and unite in promoting the interests of their people.

He asked the people of Upata to support their monarch, Eze (Dr.) Felix E. Otuwarikpo, Eze Igbu Upata III, while preserving the cultural heritage of the kingdom.

Nwuche described the annual Upata Folklore as a significant avenue for promoting unity, culture and hospitality among the people.

Earlier, the monarch declared the 2026 celebration open, describing the event as a long-standing tradition through which the people celebrate their culture and heritage after the harvest season.

Nwuche backs Tinubu, Wike coalition ahead of 2027

Speaking on politics, Nwuche advised the people of Ekpeye to use their votes wisely during the 2027 general elections.

He urged them to support politicians who had demonstrated commitment to the development of the area.

“We have seen and known all those seeking our votes, and I will therefore urge you not to waste your votes but to support those who have shown attention and developed Ekpeye land,” he said.

Nwuche also voiced support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid and the political platform associated with FCT Minister and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.

He said he would, at the appropriate time, tour Ekpeye and the wider Orashi region to mobilise support for the political coalition led by Wike.

He cited projects carried out during Wike’s tenure as Rivers governor as part of the reasons for his position, saying the projects remained significant to the development of Ekpeye land.

The event was attended by traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders, women and youth groups, students and representatives of Ahoada East and Ahoada West local governments.

Cultural displays, traditional dances, goodwill messages and the presentation of gifts to the monarch, chiefs and participants were among the highlights of the celebration.

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