One of the 32 men declared wanted by the Rivers State Government in January, after the death of notorious gang leader Ejima ‘Don Wanny’ Igwedibia, has pleaded for pardon for himself and other cultists in Ogba/Egebma/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), according a touchPH report.
The cultist who is known as Tompolo, was one of the five suspected gang leaders in ONELGA declared wanted by the state government in a list, read by Governor Nyesom Wike in a broadcast.
Mr. Tompolo said the warring gangs in the local area have “come back to our (their) normal senses,” agreed to make peace, and are ready to lay down their arms and obtain a pardon from the government. He said the Rivers State Government should direct the local vigilante group to stop the extra-judicial killing of suspected cultists in the area.
“I want to tell Mr. Governor that he should forgive because he is like a father. All the youths involved in this matter have agreed to make peace, and any day that I am coming out, I am coming out with the both sides. We are not ready to kill ourselves again. We have come back to our normal senses.
“He should tell the vigilante members to stop killing our youths (suspected cultists) again. If they arrest any person, they should hand over to government, because they are not government.”
Tompolo who is of the Egi clan in ONELGA, blamed the engagement of the youths in social vices on frustrations stemming from unemployment, pollution and economic injustice by oil companies operating in their communities. He accused the oil companies of giving jobs meant for natives to outsiders. He said Egi contributes billions to the nation’s economy, but is left to languish in widespread poverty. He begged the Federal and state Governments to heed to the cry of the people of egi and provide employment and socio-economic justice for the people.
