MEND ‘ex-generals’ forum alleges exclusion from amnesty programme

BY FESTUS AHON

UGHELLI—CHAIRMAN of 13 former Generals/Commanders of MEND Forum, Mr Josiah Oyakoghan (aka Oyimi), yesterday, decried their neglect and outright exclusion from the amnesty programme.

The group alleged that the Federal Government approved Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Pipeline surveillance contract for former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo (Tompolo).

Speaking to newsmen, yesterday, Oyakoghan said they were not being carried along by Tompolo. For more than a decade, we left our beloved families and respective homes to stay in the creeks as commanders of MEND living like animals for the sole purpose of emancipating our people from the scourge of injustice and marginalization by the Federal Government before embracing the amnesty but Tompolo and his cohorts have refused to allow us benefit from this struggle.”

“We also fought for the NNPC Pipeline surveillance contract during the time of Obasanjo to late Alhaji Musa Yar’ Adua where our fellow commanders were lost in the battle field and now only Tompolo has selfishly gone to hijack the contract which has been recently approved by Mr. President. We are, therefore, calling on Mr. President to review the Pipeline surveillance contract in recognition of our collective interest, law of natural justice and social harmony,” he said.