Steer Clear Buhari’s Amnesty Programme For Niger Delta – Boyloaf Warns Politicians

BEVERLY HILLS, February 26, (THEWILL) – One of those who formerly commanded Niger Delta militants, Ebikamowei Victor Ben, better known as Boyloaf has warned politicians against interfering in the Presidential Amnesty Programme, reminding them that the programmes is a security package aimed at restoring peace and stability to the oil-rich region.

The ex-militant leader, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, endorse the manner in which the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, General Paul Boroh (rtd), was going about the coordination of the programme.

Warning that the repentant militants were ready to take up arms if politicians attempt to hijack the amnesty programme from Boroh, he said, “We are satisfied that Boroh is working closely with the main actors to bring about the needed peace and reintegration in the Niger Delta. We hereby warn against any attempt by politicians to turn the programme into a centre for settlement and political gains. Let the politicians look elsewhere for benefits.

“Anything that distracts from the original concept of using the amnesty office to cater for those who surrendered arms and accepted amnesty by promptly paying them their stipends and empowering them to stand on their own, would trigger new lease of crisis, which we don't want.

“We demand that all peace-loving Nigerians should join hands with the SA on Niger Delta to ensure the success of the amnesty programme to bring about the needed peace, unity and stability in the region,” Boyloaf said, even as he expressed concern that some politicians were out to destabilise the gains of the present leadership of the programme.