allAfrica.com * Apologise to Citizens On Our Behalf, Militants Urge Briggs Vanguard (Lagos) NEWS 31 December 2007 Posted to the web 2 January 2008 By Jimitota Onoyume MILITANTS in the Niger Delta have urged a recently released hostage in Rivers state, Prof. Nimi Briggs to tender apology on their behalf to society for their crimes against the state. Nimi Briggs who said he was given this task while in their custody for about ten days said they assured that his release would mark the end of kidnapping in the state. While calling for economic empowerment for youths in the state as a way out of incessant crimes he said during discussions with the militants they lamented the level of poverty and hopelessness confronting many Nigerians. The Chairman of the state Independent Electoral Commission and head of an economic advisory committee set up by the state government was taken hostage and later released on December 22. He was also former Vice Chancellor of the federal University of Port Harcourt. "On the whole, what came through was a sense of dissatisfaction by the youths with the Nigerian nation, including Rivers state; frustration with the possibility of a bleak future that supposedly faces them, as well as some remorse and resolve for a renewed beginning. "They decried the massive unemployment of the youths, which, among others, has led them on to deviant and unproductive actions of militancy, assassinations, violence, burglary, kidnapping and so on. "The youths promised to end these hostilities forthwith and that in particular, they would no longer involve themselves in assassinations and kidnappings in the state. This will therefore be the last of such episodes in Rivers state." --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 2007 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------