Governor of Enugu State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has granted amnesty to 41 youths in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state, who renounced their militant activities in the area.
The youths surrendered their weapons to the government following the peace dialogues initiated by the state government to stem the several months of civil unrest and insecurity in the council area which had claimed many lives on both sides.
The event held at the Igbo-Eze North Local government area Ogrute in Enugu-Ezike
This marked a turning point in the several efforts for peace and stability in the area which has been pursued by several stakeholders from the area for months.
The Chairman of Igbo-Eze North LGA, Prince Ejike Itodo, who represented Ugwuanyi at the occasion, described the event as the most important of all and the high point of the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the area .
He described peace and security as the beauty of government and thanked those who were passionate about a better Igbo-Eze North, adding that the significance of the event was that the people of Igbo-Eze North had sent the devil and its agents packing.
He, therefore, commended the leadership of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who is also Enugu North Senatorial Candidate in the 2023 general elections.
The LG Chairman, Itodo handed over two Toyota Hilux vehicles procured by the government for the Neighbourhood Watch, Igbo-Eze North Chapter to the Divisional Police Officer, Igbo-Eze North Police Division, CSP Akor Simon.
PDP Chairman, Igbo-Eze North Chapter, Alexander Uramah, said that the root cause of the insecurity is joblessness and expressed his satisfaction to the governor and Itodo for curbing the menace.
Some of the repentant youths including Ogbonna Okonkwo from Aguibeje , Odinaka Odo from Olido and Somadina Omeje, popularly known as King George Bush from Umuogboagu, who spoke on behalf of the youths in their separate speeches, regretted their actions and blamed it on the devil.
They promised to do better and be part of the peace process being sought by government and meaningful people of Igbo-Eze North.
The DPO Igbo-Eze North Police Division, who was represented by the DCO, Mr. Ugwu Victor, on behalf of the security agencies in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, lauded the leadership style Ugwuanyi for granting the repentant youths amnesty.