Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has offered amnesty to gunmen terrorising residents of the state, with a promise to grant them pardon if they repent and surrender their weapons to traditional rulers.

Mr Uzodinma disclosed this when he met with traditional rulers and other community leaders at a palace in Owerri on Saturday.

The governor posted a video clip of the meeting on his verified Twitter handle on Saturday.

“I have given an opportunity for bad boys (in the state) who are repentant and willing to surrender their guns, to go to their traditional rulers, surrender their guns. We will grant them pardon. We will even rehabilitate them and make them earn a living for themselves,” he said.

The governor first made the amnesty offer in June, when he asked gunmen operating in forests within the state to surrender their weapons within ten days and receive unconditional pardon.

He had threatened that the gunmen would “face bombardment” if they failed to take advantage of the opportunity.

Appeal to community leadersMr Uzodinma, during the Saturday meeting, asked the traditional rulers and community leaders to contribute to restoring security in their communities.

The governor assured that he would support them when called upon, stressing that traditional rulers are part of every government.
https://www.otowngist.com/2023/07/gov-uzodinma-offers-amnesty-to-gunmen-terrorising-imo/