Traditional rulers in Bayelsa State have urged members of Islamist sect group, Boko Haram to sheathe their swords and embrace amnesty like the former militants of the Niger Delta region did.
Speaking under the aegis of EA/EJA Oil Field Traditional Rulers Leadership Forum, the royal fathers made the call in Yenagoa after a meeting with management of Shell Petroleum Development Company.
The group is made up of traditional rulers from Bassan, Mein and Iduwini kingdoms in Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw Local Government areas of Bayelsa State.
Spokesman of the forum and paramount ruler of Amatu 1 community in Ekeremor council, HRH Decca Keredei, described the insurgency as senseless.
Keredei argued that the oil wealth of the Niger Delta region was more beneficial to the North than the South, saying “the unity of our dear country is more beneficial to the North than the South because they are enjoying oil resources more than the communities where the oil is found.”
He said 11 communities comprising Amatu 1 and II, Bilabiri 1 and II, Letugbene, Orobiri, Azamabiri, Ogbeintu, Agge, Ezetu and Ekeni produce over 120,000 barrels of oil per day, but suffer neglect and abject poverty.
He also condemned the recent attack on the convoy of former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari(rtd.) and other acts of terrorism by the sect, describing it as unfortunate and inhuman.”
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