The Niger Delta Volunteers have given a 21-day ultimatum to the Presidential Amnesty Programme to address alleged injustices faced by repentant militants in Akwa Ibom State. The group’s leaders, General Ekpo Ekpo and Major General Henry Okon Etete, stated that former agitators from the state have not been receiving their monthly stipends and training like beneficiaries from other Niger Delta states. They expressed dissatisfaction with the unequal treatment and threatened mass action if their concerns were not resolved.
The group criticized the Presidential Amnesty Office for neglecting Akwa Ibom State beneficiaries, citing instances of withheld stipends, lack of empowerment opportunities, and discriminatory practices in training programs. They highlighted the disparity in educational opportunities, with beneficiaries from other states sent overseas for studies while Akwa Ibom beneficiaries were limited to local agricultural training.
Additionally, they pointed out specific cases of payment stoppage for some beneficiaries and exclusion of Akwa Ibom State camp leaders from important meetings and empowerment contracts. The group called upon relevant authorities like the National Security Adviser, the Director General of the Department of State Services, and the Inspector-General of Police to intervene and address the grievances, warning of imminent mass protests if the issues remained unattended.