By Igoniko Oduma - Correspondent, Yenagoa
Terrorists operating under the umbrella of Boko Haram sect have been advised to sheathe their swords and embrace amnesty like their militant counterparts in the Niger Delta region.
Traditional rulers under the aegis of EA/EJA Oil Field Traditional Rulers Leadership Forum made the call in Yenagoa weekend after a meeting with management of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).
The group comprises 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 Local Government Area of the state, Decca Keredei, described the Boko Haram insurgency as senseless as the unity of Nigeria is more beneficial to the North.
Keredei also argued that the oil wealth of the Niger Delta region is more beneficial to the North than the South, saying, “the unity of our dear country is more beneficiary to the North than the South because they are enjoying our oil resources more than the communities where the oil is found.”
According to him, 11 communities comprising Amatu 1 and 2, Bilabiri 1 and 2, Letugbene, Orobiri, Azamabiri, Ogbointu, Agge, Ezetu and Ekeni produce over 120,000 barrels of oil per day but suffer neglect and abject poverty.
He condemned the recent attack on the convoy of former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, and other acts of terrorism by the sect, describing it as unfortunate and inhuman.
“It would have been disastrous if the Boko Haram insurgents had succeeded in killing General Buhari as they planned but God intervened because everywhere would have been boiling by now,” he stated.
The group commended President Goodluck Jonathan and the Federal Executive Committee (FEC) for what he described as painstaking moves to end terrorism in the country.
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