Jackrich urges Tinubu to act on Egberipapa Camp amnesty slots

The leader of the Niger Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, also known as Egberipapa, has written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is asking for quick action to include Egberipapa Camp in the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, and for clear management of the programme.

In the petition submitted to the State House this week, Jackrich mentioned that over 4,000 former fighters from Egberipapa Camp have been left out of PAP since 2009. This is despite a Senate resolution in 2021 that ordered their inclusion and allocated 2,000 slots to the Camp.

“This matter has remained unresolved for many years despite repeated representations, legislative proceedings, public hearings and resolutions of the National Assembly,” Jackrich said in the petition. “The central grievance is the continued exclusion of Egberipapa Camp from the appropriate integration and allocation framework of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.”

Senate Resolutions Still Pending:

Jackrich reminded everyone that on 13 April 2021, he submitted a petition to the 9th Senate through the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. After public hearings, the Committee recommended that Egberipapa Camp be integrated. In a letter dated 8 June 2021, they asked the then Interim Administrator of PAP to explain how programme funds and slots were allocated.

“Despite the passage of time and repeated representations, the substantive relief sought by Egberipapa Camp has not, to date, been implemented,” he said. “The continued non-resolution has created a profound sense of injustice among the affected former agitators and their families.”

Security Alert:

Jackrich warned that if this delay continues, it could threaten peace in the Niger Delta.

“For many years, the affected persons have pursued their grievances through lawful and peaceful channels. However, the prolonged delay has caused considerable frustration,” he stated.

“I am increasingly concerned that, if the matter remains unresolved, some aggrieved persons may become tempted to resort to self-help. I make this statement not as a threat, but as a sincere warning about the consequences of allowing a longstanding grievance involving a large number of young people in an oil-producing region to remain unresolved indefinitely.”

He urged President Tinubu to see the petition as “an opportunity for preventive intervention” to “restore confidence in the Amnesty process and show that legitimate grievances can be resolved through lawful institutions.”

Call for Transparency and Audit:

Aside from asking for his camp’s inclusion, Jackrich also called for a thorough and independent review of PAP.

He wants clear information on how slots are allocated, the number of slots approved each year since 2009, how many each camp receives, and why some groups have been left out.

He also asked for an independent audit of PAP’s finances from the beginning, covering funds, spending, procurement, beneficiary records, and compliance with financial laws.

“The Presidential Amnesty Programme is funded from public resources appropriated by the National Assembly. Accordingly, the Programme must remain subject to the principles of accountability, transparency, probity and proper stewardship of public funds,” he said.

“If the Programme has been properly managed, such an audit would provide an opportunity to establish that fact conclusively. If deficiencies are identified, the appropriate authorities can take corrective action.”

Eight-Point Requests to the President:

In his requests, Jackrich asked President Tinubu to:

1. Direct PAP to urgently implement the Senate resolution on the integration of Egberipapa Camp and allocation of 2,000 slots;
2. Verify the status of affected former agitators for lawful integration;
3. Produce records of historical slot allocation among camps;
4. Order an independent audit of PAP finances from inception;
5. Look into why previous Senate resolutions remain outstanding;
6. Direct the National Security Adviser to engage stakeholders to prevent escalation;
7. Set up a time-bound system for resolution; and
8. Take further steps to ensure grievances are resolved fairly and transparently.

“Your Excellency’s intervention at this moment would send a powerful message that the Federal Government listens to legitimate grievances and remains committed to peace and justice in the Niger Delta,” he concluded.

Jackrich also praised the Tinubu administration for its efforts to boost crude oil production and maintain intervention programmes in the Niger Delta. He emphasized that his approach is peaceful and lawful.

The Presidential Amnesty Programme started in 2009 to disarm, rehabilitate and reintegrate ex-agitators in the Niger Delta.

Signed:
High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, a.k.a. Egberipapa
Leader, Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF)