Delta Ex-Militants May Resume Violence Over Amnesty Fund

WARRI, DELTA May 17, (THEWILL) - A growing discontent is trailing the federal government’s amnesty programme as ex-militants in Delta State have vowed to resume fresh hostilities over non payment of their stipends and alleged illegal deduction from their monthly salary, THEWILL learnt on good authority.

Findings have revealed that a sizeable number of the militants were shortchanged by their 'Commanders' and 'Generals', who allegedly connive with a manager of the United Bank for Africa, Warri Branch to illegally deduct over eighty percent from the approved total money paid to each militant.

THEWILL further gathered that the approved monthly stipend for each repentant militant is N65, 000, but upon payment, it was alleged that N50, 000 was deducted from the said money by the militants’ leaders, with only N10, 000 paid, a development that is not acceptable to the aggrieved militants.

THEWILL also learnt that one of the Commanders, who allegedly fled with the militant’s stipend of over two hundred and sixty million naira, is currently building a new militant camp in the creek in the state.

THEWILL sources also said three months ago, One million naira was approved for each militants, but unfortunately, only N300, 000 was paid to them, while the remaining N700, 000 was withheld by a member of the Amnesty Committee in connivance with same manager of the bank, where the militants earlier opened an account for the purpose of their monthly salary.

When THEWILL contacted the bank, the manager referred our correspondent to the Amnesty Committee for further clarification on the alleged deduction of the N700, 000 from the approved One Million Naira for each militant.

When THEWILL contacted an ex-militant warlord about the alleged fraudulent act, he promptly invited the said member of the Amnesty Committee to explain why such huge amount of money was deducted, but the accused member of the Amnesty Committee could not defend the allegation.

The ex-militants are by this development calling on the federal government to as a matter of urgency investigate how the money approved for them in Delta State were disbursed.