Group wants N1.5b compensation for Ex Biafra soldiers

An appeal has been made to the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to make the sum of one billion, five hundred and eighty four million, nine hundred and ninety two thousand Naira available to the Biafran soldiers who participated in the civil war between 1967-1970.

This appeal was made in Nnewi yesterday by a group called Corruption Watch while briefing journalists.

The national coordinator of Corruption Watch, Comrade Chuks Ogbuka stated that the amount his group was demanding is in line with the declaration after the war that there would be reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation so as to fully integrate every section of the country.

Ogbuka however observed that many years after the declaration by Gen Yakubu Gowon(Rtd) who was the military head of state then, the Ex-Biafran soldiers have never experienced any form of rehabilitation which has made their living condition very horrible.

He pointed out with concern that the amount his group is demanding was in the 2012 budget but the money was mopped up and returned to the treasury due to Nigeria factor.

Ogbuka said that Corruption Watch in its efforts to get respite for the ex-Biafran soldiers pushed in a bill through the ministry of finance and budget in December 2015 for the money to be re appropriated in the 2016 budget.

"Indeed, the social and economic situations and lives of the former Biafran soldiers have been a source of immense concern and worry to us as fellow Nigerians and really calls for serious and urgent attention of the federal government in particular and all Nigerians in general.

"It is our observation upon close contact with the ex-soldiers who are mostly conscripted into the army, that these people's lives are in a very deplorable, miserable and pitiable conditions as a result of the non release of the said fund meant as compensation and rehabilitation to them by the federal government.

Ogbuka said that the primary concern of his organisation in relation to the said fund is to assist in alleviating the sufferings of the ex-Biafran soldiers who have rendered their social and selfless services to the nation.

He argued that the Niger Delta militants immediately after they were granted amnesty got what belong to them interms of compensation and wondered why the ex-Biafrans would be put on the hold since 1970.

He urged President Buhari not to allow some corrupt officials truncate and thwart government's good intentions to the suffering former soldiers through crooked procedures and protocols meant to lay hands on the funds when released.

The coordinator of Corruption Watch said emphatically that the failure of the successive administrations to the do the needful for the ex-Biafran soldiers is what has led to the clamour for self determination by groups like IPOB, MASSOB and others.

Ogbuka maintained that if after all their efforts, the fund meant to alleviate the sufferings of the ex-soldiers is not released, then it will be obvious to all eyes and international community the level of marginalization and deprivation the Igbos are subjected to in their own fatherland.

Asked if his group has the mandate of the war veterans to solicit on their behalf, Ogbuka said that the Marshal of the war veterans in Nigeria, Chief Isaac Brown and his team are in league with Corruption Watch over the matter.

Pix: Comrade Chuks Ogbuka during the media briefing