Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has granted amnesty to One Hundred and Fifty Nine pre- trial Detainees in connection with the Effium and Ezza Effium Crisis.
This is one of the recommendations of the White paper implementation committee as part of efforts to bring lasting peace to the area.
Addressing the Detainees shortly before their release at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru described the amnesty as a strategic step towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the Area and beginning of a new chapter
“One of the key recommendations of this report was the possibility of granting amnesty to those directly affected by the crisis, with a structured framework for disarmament, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
“To the people of Effium and Ezza Effium, I say this: the grant of amnesty is not the end of the road; it is the beginning of a new chapter. It is a call to collective responsibility—a call to lay down your arms, to embrace dialogue, and to work together to rebuild your communities.
“The government will continue to support you, but the ultimate responsibility for peace lies in your hands.”
He encouraged the beneficiaries of the amnesty to reciprocate the government’s gesture by joining hands to ensure the return of peace and develop the Area
“For the detainees, we understand that years of conflict and incarceration may have left scars, but let this amnesty mark the dawn of a new chapter—one that is defined by hope, personal growth, and communal harmony. Meanwhile, the detainees who will benefit from this amnesty are those whose alleged offenses are directly connected to the communal crisis. They are not being exonerated from accountability; rather, they are being given a second chance to contribute positively to their communities and to the state at large. The Governor said “
He said the Government has taken other steps to cement peace in the area including the decision to demarcate the Land.
Nwifuru Grants Amnesty To 159 Detainees Involved In Communal Crisis is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
