Gunmen Appeal For Restoration
Some gunmen willing to live normal life send messages of appeal to a popular Port Harcourt, Rivers State cleric who challenges a conman using his name to defraud unsuspecting victims
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
A group of armed men operating in Rivers State who are tired of life in the creeks has made public appeal to a popular Port Harcourt cleric, Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, asking him to help them abandon their activities in the creeks and return to normal civilian life.
The group, identified as Ekpeye Freedom Fighters, made the appeal in a video circulating on social media where its members were seen raising their hands while calling on the founder of Omega Power Ministries World-Wide (OPM) to intervene.
In the footage, the men expressed their desire to come out of the bush, leave behind their life of violence and embrace rehabilitation.
They said they were exhausted from constantly living in hiding, carrying weapons and engaging in armed activities, adding that they are now ready to turn away from that lifestyle. One of the group’s leaders specifically appealed to the cleric, describing him as the person they trusted to help them find a way back into society.
Their choice of Apostle Chibuzor was linked to his previous interventions involving repentant cultists, former militants and ex-convicts, whom he has reportedly assisted through rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
The development is particularly significant given the allegations surrounding the Ekpeye Freedom Fighters whose members have been linked to kidnappings, illegal oil bunkering and violent cult clashes in Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
News of the group’s appeal has reportedly generated excitement across Ekpeye land with residents expressing hope that the development could bring an end to some of the violence that has affected communities in the area.
Several people have also called on the Rivers State Government and security agencies to support any genuine effort to rehabilitate the group and ensure that those willing to abandon violence can safely return to normal society.
Tentacle gathered that the appeal has yet to receive a public response from Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere. And it also remains unclear whether the group has formally surrendered its weapons or entered into any official amnesty arrangement with the government security agencies.
Similarly, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere has raised alarm about one Mr. Julius Onwuchekwa, who has been going everywhere collecting money and international passports from innocent Nigerians claiming that he sent him with some slot for visa.
According to the man of God, the fraudster is currently holding 6 different people’s international passports plus their money he collected.
“Just imagine collecting money from poor people. I help people to travel free of charge, like this Saudi Arabia recruitment, none of the guys travelling paid me dime,” said Apostle Chinyere.
Continuing the popular cleric said the conman even claims he works with the Nigerian Army. The people he defrauded have already gone to the army barrack with his picture and the army said they are also looking for him. He is no longer using his phone number. Any information that will lead to his arrest will be compensated,” he concluded.
A renowned servant of God, Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, a philanthropist and spiritual leader, was born in River State, although he hails from Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State.
The televangelist approach in contributing to the national development through social responsibilities has captured the imagination of all and sundry. The man of God had the privilege and rare honour of receiving a unique and very vital commission from God. The vision, which he has carried on for years, is for the sole benefit of mankind.
