EX-MILITANTS KILL 13 POLICEMEN IN BAYELSA

ANGERED that they had been perpetually shortchanged by their leaders, former militants in the creek unleashed mayhem in the early hours of Saturday, killing 13 policemen in Azuzuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The death of the policemen followed a threat to resume hostilities by midnight of Friday from the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) to the Federal Government over complaints that their leaders on the amnesty programme had consistently shortchanged them over funds released as their monthly emoluments.

The policemen, it was learnt, were killed at a burial ceremony by suspected former militants whose identities are yet to be known.

Some Of The 14,586 Weapons And Ammunition Surrendered By Former Militants To JTF In Warri On Thursday

Some Of The 14,586 Weapons And Ammunition Surrendered By Former Militants To JTF In Warri On Thursday

EX-MILITANTS REGROUP, ISSUE ULTIMATUM TO FG

•Say agreement with late President Yar’Adua not implemented
•Blames NASS, President Jonathan over unpaid allowance

Ex-militants on the platform of Leadership Forum for Peace in Niger Delta yesterday threatened to return to the trenches if the federal government fails to pay their allowance.

They have therefore issued a three-day ultimatum to the Federal government to pay up their allowance or be prepared for another crisis in the coastal region.

'WE’RE UNDER PRESSURE OVER LOW RATING OF JONATHAN'

Following the low performance rating of President Goodluck Jonathan in the handling of the affairs of the nation by some prominent ex-militant leaders recently, Ebikabowei Victor-Ben aka Boyloaf and Chief Ateke Tom Friday said that they have been  under pressure to clarify their position on the issue which has been generating heat in the country.

The duo in a statement in Yenagoa said that their position was not targeted at discrediting the President, but to draw the attention of the neglect of the Niger Delta which is still yawning for development despite the fact that one of its own is the president.

FG TO CONTINUE N65, 000 MONTHLY PAYMENTS TO EX-MILITANTS

Presidential Amnesty Office on Tuesday insisted that it would continue to pay former Niger Delta militants their N65,000 monthly stipends despite the threat by Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to resume hostility following the conviction of Henry Okah by a South African court.

Head of Media and Communications, Daniel Alabrah, told Daily Independent in Abuja, that payments to ex-militants are statutory and therefore could not be stopped by the office.

He said: “We are doing our own duty to implement the amnesty programme, but if they (ex-militants) renege, then they are the ones to answer questions.