Members of defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) today in Yenagoa urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently intervene in the Amnesty programme.

This is contained in a communiqué issued by the ex-militant leaders after their meeting in the Bayelsa State capital.

The communiqué was signed by Mr Reuben Clifford, spokesperson of the group.

The group expressed worry over the unpaid stipends and allowances of Amnesty programme beneficiaries, security challenges in the country and state of the economy.

It said: “We are inundated with calls from home and aboard of our members who are Amnesty beneficiaries, passing through various harrowing experiences.

“Some at Igbinedion University are being barred to write their final year examinations since they could not pay their fees, while some in Jordan, schooling have been evicted from their homes and now living on handouts from friends.

“We urge the president to authorise the disbursement of fund to offset allowances of Amnesty beneficiaries because this situation is worsening and worrisome.”

The ex-militants, who met under the auspices of the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), also condemned the spate of attacks in Plateau, Kano, Kaduna and Borno states.

Their words: “We want the present administration to wield its might by keeping to its word that ‘Boko Haram will soon know our collective will power’.

“By engaging various stakeholders to put an end to this callous, ruthless and senseless killing.”

The ex-militants also commended the Federal Government for giving states lifeline to pay workers salaries. (NAN)

•Photo shows Niger Delta militants on their way to an operation before the introduction of the Amnesty programme.

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