3rd Phase Amnesty Leaders Call on IGP, Okpeholo, Dr Otuaro to Prevail on AIG Zone 5 to Immediately Release National Chairman, Ogidigba

By Osaro Michael, Benin

The Delegates of the 3rd Phase Amnesty Programme have demanded the immediate release of their National Chairman, General Godstime Ogidigba, whom they claim has been unlawfully arrested, adding that allegations against him were formulated and not true.

The Third Phase leaders have called on the Inspector General of Police, the Edo State governor, Monday Okpeholo and the current administrator of the program, Dr Dennis Otuaro to prevail on the AIG zone 5 to immediately release him to maintain the existing fragile peace in Niger Delta region.

The delegates asserted that Ogidigba’s arrest is a ploy to destabilize the Amnesty Programme and undermine its progress made by the current administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro by enemies of Niger Delta.

According to sources, Ogidigba’s arrest on Monday stems from a petition filed by suspected criminal kingpins in Edo and Ondo States who had been also in the wanted list of Edo police command and Zone 5 over several crimes.

However, the delegates have rejected false allegations leveled against their leader, describing them as baseless and politically motivated. They argued that Ogidigba’s tenure as National Chairman is legitimate, having been duly elected on September 10, 2025, and inaugurated on September 16, 2025.

“We demand the immediate release of our National Chairman, General Godstime Ogidigba,” said a statement signed by the delegates. “His arrest is an affront to the democratic principles and processes that govern our organization. We will not stand idly by while our leader is unjustly detained.”

The delegates have called on inspector General of Police and governor Monday Okpeholo and the current administrator of the program, Dr Dennis Otuaro to prevail on the AIG zone 5 to immediately release him to maintain the existing fragile peace in Niger Delta region.

They also urged the authorities to protect the Amnesty Programme from individuals seeking to disrupt its progress for personal interests.